An excavation at the ancient kingdom of Yapahuwa has uncovered an underground clay pipeline system and evidence of a settlement occupied by ordinary citizens — a rare find in Sri Lankan archaeology, which has largely documented royal and monastic sites.
The dig is led by Professor Mangala Katugampola under a project launched by the Central Cultural Fund in 2025, NewsFirst reported.
Three parallel pipe networks
Researchers found three separate subterranean clay pipe networks running parallel to one another. The team describes the arrangement as unique among sites excavated in Sri Lanka.
Excavators also recovered a large collection of artefacts, including clay lamps, pottery fragments, pieces of Chinese porcelain, metal nails and clay objects. Professor Katugampola said the nature of the finds points to non-monastic use, indicating ordinary residents who lived within the ancient urban settlement.
Method and setting
The team carried out horizontal excavations between the inner and outer fortification walls, using LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar alongside conventional digging.
Yapahuwa served as Sri Lanka’s fourth kingdom, established by King Bhuvanekabahu I in the 13th century after the collapse of the Polonnaruwa kingdom. It lasted roughly 12 years and is best known for its ornate stone staircase and lion sculptures.
Researchers expect the findings to sharpen understanding of urban history, social structure and settlement patterns in medieval Sri Lanka.
