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



INTERIM REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE 

 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY AT SIGIRIYA 

 (SECOND SEASON), 1896.* 



By H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., Archaeological Commissioner. 



Preamble. 



As projected in my Report for 1895, the Archaeological 

 Survey re-commenced its second season's operations at 

 Sigiriya in the early days of February last (1896). 



The last north-east monsoon proved somewhat heavy — - 

 sufficient to render the minor road from Inamaluwa to 

 Sigiriya practically impassable for loaded carts, and to fill 

 the vewa below the Rock to an extent quite unanticipated. 

 Considerable damage to the " camp " huts was caused by 

 the rains ; and, in addition, the tank encroached on the 

 tenantless " cooly lines " (which had been left in charge of 

 a watcher), and washed down a portion. 



All this had to be put right. A small party was, accordingly, 

 despatched in advance to clean up, rebuild, &c, during 

 January. 



Labour Force. 

 The main body of labourers — some 80 in all, men and 

 boys (with this year a few women), and, as before, all 

 recruited solely in Anuradhapura — started for Sigiriya on 

 February 1, and settled down to regular work within three 

 days. 



Later on I was able to supplement this force — double 

 that got together for the start in 1895 — by 20 to 30 extra 

 Tamil hands ; and by inducing a sprinkling of Sinhalese 

 to work as earth-carriers upon the top of the Rock, in 

 consideration of a higher rate of wage than that paid for 

 jungle-clearing below. For the timid and superstitious 



* Forwarded to Government with Archaeological Commissioner's letter 

 No. 7fi7 of December 5, 1896. 



