78 



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



The chief interest of this small group of ruins (now isolated, but 

 formerly without doubt connected with Issurumuniya and the Vessa- 

 giri caves, situated still further south) lies in the two beautifully 

 designed baths, with attached dressing-rooms (still in excellent pre- 

 servation), built of dressed stone. The semi-arched recess, rock-cufc r 

 at the smaller bath is flanked on either side by realistic carvings in low 

 relief of elephants emerging from a lotus pond. 



These ruins (as do those of Vessagiriya and Issurumuniya) go back 

 to the earliest days of ancient Anuradhapura ; though (as frequent 

 elsewhere) they have suffered later alterations. 



Mirisavetiya. — Commencement was made with the thorough excava- 

 tion of the ruins surrounding the Mirisavetiya Dagaba. This area lies 

 between the Anuradhapura-Puttalam high road and Basawakkulam 

 tank on the north. 



The only building of importance unearthed so far is the chief piri- 

 vena of the Mirisavetiya Monastery. This is of the type of the similar 

 oblong buildings known at Abhayagiriya, Thuparama, and Jetawana- 

 rama. Its proximity to the road and the modern town has unfor- 

 tunately long bereft it of practically all but its monolithic columns. 



It is likely that, though the area may not yield much of artistic 

 value, the general plan of the ancient buildings and by-streets of the 

 sacred precincts to Mirisavetiya will be disclosed with considerable 

 certainty. 



Sigiriya. 



The annual clearing of the ruins on the summit of Sigiri-p ala— of the 

 terraces below the Rock north, west, and south— and of the " islands" 

 and caves within the enclosed area of the ancient city, was undertaken, 

 as usual, during the early months of the year. 



Later, Sinhalese villagers were engaged in again clearing a certain 

 portion (about one-third) of the city, on the west, which had become 

 overgrown. Another portion will be cleared next year ; and the 

 remainder in 1903. The expense of clearing yearly the entire area of 

 Sigiri-Nuwardj west and east of the Rock, is too great a tax upon a 

 limited annual vote intended to meet the cost of all archaeological 

 work throughout the Island. 



The rebuilding of the floor, steps, and wall of the gallery, at its 

 north-west end, was completed to a point beyond which it is impracti- 

 cable to carry masonry restoration. The standards and struts for the 

 iron bridge designed to connect the western stretch of the gallery with 

 the long flight of steps (which alone stands to mark its former con- 

 tinuation) along the north base of the rock, were also firmly fixed. Only 

 the iron rails and flooring of the bridge remain to be adjusted and 

 screwed down next year. 



Further preliminary work was started last year, having for its ulti- 

 mate object the permanent protection against birds, &c.,of the unique 

 frescoes in the Rock " pockets." The carrying out of this eminently 

 desirable work — the due preservation of these ancient paintings — 

 involves very great difficulty, owing td the inaccessible and dangerous 

 position of the " pockets " in the Rock cliff above the gallery, and the 

 irregularity of their conformation. The completion of the task of 

 effectually " caging in " the frescoes of Sigiriya .may occupy one or 

 two seasons, all work in the " pockets " having to be suspended as soon 

 as the south-west gale sets in. 



