Complete Pot (water container)
- Period
- Historical
- Date
- 2025-08-07
- Materials
- Clay
- Dimensions
- L-16cm, DM-10cm
- Site
- Godawaya Shipwreck
- Location
- Conversation Labotory
- Inventory
- 2023/SL/S/GDV/M/002/016
Full Description
In 2023, this Complete Pot (water container) was discovered at the Godavaya archaeological site. The sherd has a length of 16 cm and weighs approximately 3511.8 grams. The rim diameter measures about 10 cm. It belongs to the plainware category. The vessel exhibits a medium level of luster, while the exterior surface texture is moderately rough. It is made from clay mixed with fine sand, and the wall thickness is of a medium range. The body of the vessel gradually expands outward from the orifice in a globular form, ending in a circular base.
Historical Context
The ship, dated to the 2nd century BCE, contained pottery shards that are considered to belong to the 2nd–3rd centuries BCE. This has also been confirmed through analyses conducted on the pottery shards. The pottery found at the Godavaya site shows similarities to those discovered in the excavations at Tissamaharama and Anuradhapura. So far, evidence belonging to 11 ancient pottery types has been identified across the country. From the Godavaya site, pottery remnants corresponding to seven of these types have been uncovered. Accordingly, it is clear that these pottery vessels were used not only for domestic consumption but also in maritime navigation activities.
