No. 61.— 1908.] 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



51 



restored in its upper part along the north-east and north-west 

 quadrants, including the three highly ornamental stairways at 

 the cardinal points north, east, and west, besides the bay portico 

 on the north. 



In 1907 the restoration of the structure was carried to full 

 completion, as far as practicable, by the resetting of the ornamental 

 stylobate round the south face from the west to the east, and the 

 rebuilding of the displaced southern stairs. The south-west 

 quadrant proved to be the most damaged of the four, and its 

 renewal gave much trouble; but has been satisfactorily accom- 

 plished. 



Besides the refixing of the stone revetment and broken pillars 

 of the higher platform, the whole of the pavement slabs of the 

 lower maluwa have been taken up and relaid. Finally, the circular 

 retaining wall of the platform (temporarily replaced in 1903) has 

 been rebuilt, and all work pointed in cement. 



An excellent bird's-eye view of the " Wata-dd~ge" as thus 

 restored, is now obtainable from the roof of " Thupdrdma " Vihare. 



The Government may possibly augment from next year the 

 present inadequate vote of Rs. 5,000 for the restoration and 

 preservation of ancient monuments. Many worthy ruins in Ceylon 

 call for urgent attention. 



Epigraphy. 



The belated Parts, II. and III., of the Epigraphia Zeylanica 

 were published during 1907, by Mr. D. M. de Z. Wickremesinghe 

 in England. 



The Government has very judiciously decided to place Mr. 

 Wickremesinghe for the future under the direct supervision of 

 Dr. A. H. Macdonell, Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford. This 

 step will, it is hoped, lead to the Epigraphia Zeylanica being issued 

 more regularly than hitherto. 



Locally, the Archaeological Survey continued during 1907 the 

 collection of eye-copies and " estampages " of lithic records of the 

 Island. The " squeezes " will be gradually photographed, and the 

 negatives made available for the Epigraphia Zeylanica as required. 



Many important inscriptions have thus been recorded from 

 the Western, Southern, and Central Provinces in the course 

 of the year. This desirable work will be carried on steadily from 

 1908, it being of high importance to secure copies of the Island's 

 ancient and mediaeval epigraphs before the fatuous treasure hunter 

 destroys more of these palseographically valuable records. 



Finds. 



A splendid collection of bronze images, some twenty and upwards 

 in all, varying in height up to 3 ft., was unearthed at the 

 Hindu Devales Nos. 1, 4, and 5, during the season's work at those 

 ruins. The bronzes are perfectly preserved, and as specimens 

 of skilled metal workmanship and art are marvellous, alike in the 

 spirited action they exhibit and in finished detail. All relate to 

 the worship of Siva, 



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