Cooking vessel (complete)
- Period
- Historical
- Date
- 2025-08-07
- Materials
- Clay
- Dimensions
- H-143.15mm, DM-16cm
- Site
- Godawaya Shipwreck
- Location
- Gallery 01
- Inventory
- 2023/SL/S/GDV/M/002/012
Full Description
In 2023, this Cooking vessel (complete) was discovered at the Godavaya archaeological site. It features a wide orifice, an outwardly curved body, and a semi-globular base. The vessel has a height of 143.15 mm and weighs approximately 447.1 grams. The rim diameter is 16 cm. Belonging to the plain ware category, the vessel has a somewhat rough surface texture and a medium level of luster. It is made from clay mixed with fine sand and exhibits a color corresponding to 5YR 5/6–5/9
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.
