No. 27. — 1884.] Tl S SAM AH A R A MA ARCHEOLOGY. 27 



This layer follows the slope of the gravel, and with it 

 varies in depth from 6 to 18 feet below the present surface 

 of the ground. At its lowest part it is some four feet in 

 thickness, and at this spot it consists, in one place, of 

 three strata separated by thin layers of soil and sand, and 

 covered in each case by one thickness of broken tiles as 

 though the roof of a shed had fallen in. As, however, no 

 tiles are unbroken, notwithstanding the undisturbed state of 

 the remains, and the pieces composing them are few in 

 number, and are not found together, it is to be presumed 

 that these tiles have only been defective ones which were 

 thrown away. The pottery stratum generally ends abruptly, 

 and is succeeded by earth, vegetable mould, and occasional 

 very thin layers of fine sand, evidently brought down by 

 rains. In this soil are found small scattered bits of chatties 

 and plates, such as the rains might transport from the 

 higher ground, and a good many bones of Sambar deer 

 ("elk") and other animals. This stratum extends to within 

 two or three feet of the present surface, where we again 

 find a layer of pottery without inscriptions, and in such 

 small pieces as to be quite worthless. Only from a few 

 inches to a foot of vegetable soil overlie this layer. In 

 the high-level cutting there is an intermediate stratum of 

 bits of pottery, &c, at a height of three or four feet above 

 the lower stratum, but it is a very thin one. 



Clear evidence has been obtained that at least one, but 

 more probably several, smiths' forges were at work close 

 to the potters' village.* Many large pieces of scorise from 

 the forges have been encountered in different parts of the 

 high-level channel excavation, as well as a " cold chisel" 

 of iron or steel. At least one article used by a goldsmith 

 has also been procured. Possibly the smiths practised both 

 occupations, t 



* It is stated in Upham's Mahawansa, p. 130, that Nirmala, the 

 second of Dutthagamini's heroes, appeared at Magama " before King 

 Kawantissa, when he was at the blacksmith's shop, where he had 

 employed a number of backsmiths to make arms." This story is 

 interesting in view of the discoveries. 



f " Because they work in copper, brass, and silver, they are called 



Kammakarayo and because they work in gold, they are called 



Suwannakarayo because they work in iron they are called 



Ayokarayo." (Upham, op. cit. y Vol. III., p. 340.) 



