Sept 29, Colombo: A pot of paddy grain has been recovered from a soil layer believed to belong to the 3rd century BC from the archeological site in Akurugodawaththa, Tissamaharamaya.

The excavation of this paddy stock is remarkable since this is the first time such a store of paddy grains has been found in Sri Lanka.

The soil layer is 4.5 meters below the surface. Ruins of a residential complex of noblemen were also excavated from this layer recently.

The ruins of the housing complex were excavated from a soil layer five meters below the surface close to Tissamaharamaya Weva. Ruins of four premises believed to belong to elites have been discovered.

The ruins of an ancient hospital were also recovered from a place close to this site. Tissamaharamaya is believed the capital of the Magama Kingdom in Ruhuna, and Akurugoda, where the excavations are conducted, is believed the inner city of the kingdom. Excavations are conducted jointly by the Archeological Department and the Archaeological Institute of Germany.

Foundations, walls, broad brick floors, pillar holes, hearths, pieces of earthen pots, and large earthenware have been discovered at the site.