48 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIV. 



(A) Plan of Sigiri Nuwara (adapted from Mr. 



Blakesley's Plan). 



(B) Survey Plan of the summit of Sigiri-gala (made 



by the Archaeological Survey), showing the 

 terraces, &c, and the excavations completed 

 in 1895. 



(C) Elevation Drawing (sample) of one mound and 



trench on the summit. 



(D) Photographs taken at Sigiriya.* 



(1) Clearing. 



19. (a) On the Summit— The numerous trees felled in 

 August, 1894, had to be cut up, thrown over the Rock, or burnt, 

 and a tangled growth of mana grass f and creepers removed. 

 This work alone occupied a fortnight. 



20. (V) Beloiv the Rock. — Starting from the south-west 

 corner of the Rock and working northward down the steep 

 terraced slopes, the undergrowth — in places thorny and 

 close — was gradually swept as far as the mahd bemma, or 

 great ramp, the path to Piduragala being kept as the western 

 limit at first, and subsequently the Talkote village path. 

 The area embraced covers roughly half a mile by one-third.f 

 It is strewn with scores of boulders, large and small, marked 

 by grooves and mortice holes innumerable, that formerly 

 held walls and pillars of the city buildings. All clearing 

 was done by Sinhalese labour. 



21. As will be seen on reference to Plan (A), there 

 remains to be cleared the area west and south-west of the 

 Talkote path up to the mahd bemma, and an unknown 

 extent round the north and east sides of the Rock, to say 

 nothing of the jungle along the huge stone embankment 

 stretching south from the present tank. 



22. A proper survey of the — miles of — rubble-faced § 

 banks, which hold up a succession of terraces to the south, 



* Album, C 419-478. 

 t See Plan A. 



f Andropogon Zeylaniews. 

 § Album, C 470. 



