NO. 46.— 1895.] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY, SIGIRIYA. 53 



45. Opposite this cave, that under the " Audience Hall " 

 rock was similarly dug out, and a semicircular brick wall, 

 with middle entrance, exposed in front. This cave probably 

 once served as a vihara* 



46. The connection between the area immediately east 

 of the "Audience Hall" rock and the upper terraces has yet 

 to be traced. Some trial trenches were dug near the gal- 

 dsanaya^ which lies lower than the Audience Hall boulder, 

 before work ceased for the year. 



47. " Finds " have been so far few, and somewhat 

 disappointing : clay lamps, and water pots, a variety of 

 potsherds, pieces of a white china bowl, a small stone 

 figure of Buddha, a tiny crystal karanduva (relic casket), 

 a flowered Jcura (hairpin) of copper, a small and hopelessly 

 corroded coin, and half a bushel of iron and copper nails — 

 these complete the list. 



(3) Other Work. 



48. (a) Whilst digging out the caves above mentioned 

 we lighted on four worked slabs, which, upon measurement, 

 fortunately proved to be the stones missing from the 

 parapet wall of the rock cistern above. They must have 

 fallen, or been thrown, over the rock centuries back. 



49. With infinite labour these heavy stones were rolled 

 first along the gorge, then up a steep bank, and finally, by 

 improvising an inclined plane of tree-trunks, dragged to the 

 top of the rock, and once more accurately replaced. The 

 cistern (16 ft. 2 in. by 8 ft. 1 in. and 5 ft. 7 in. deep), now 

 properly restored, is not ornamental alone, but can be turned 

 to practical service.^ 



50. (b) In the course of my personal exploration of the 

 forest around Sigiri-gala I climbed a strangely-shaped 

 rock pitted with sockets for pillars, and with an eastward 

 slope at a steep angle. This boulder is situated about 300 

 yards from the north-west end of the Great Rock. The 



* Album, C 468. 

 f Album, C 469. 



A small marble Buddha was exhumed here. 



{ Album, C 431, 432, 462, 463. 



