Page 346 - Proceedings book

mqrdúoHd fomd¾;fïka;=j

river basins, the Kala Oya Basin is particularly noteworthy for its sophisticated water

management infrastructure and ecological adaptability. Located in the north-central
region of the island, the Kala Oya Basin encompasses diverse topographies, making it

an ideal area for examining the ingenuity of ancient hydraulic engineering. The
development of irrigation systems in Sri Lanka dates back to the early Anuradhapura

period (circa 377 BCE), when rulers initiated the construction of small tanks to

capture and store seasonal monsoon rainwater. Over centuries, these systems evolved
into complex networks of reservoirs, canals, sluices, and cascading tank systems,

many of which were concentrated in the Kala Oya region. These innovations not only
sustained agriculture during arid months but also facilitated the growth of stable and

prosperous settlements.

Despite increasing archaeological attention to these ancient systems, significant gaps

remain in understanding the long-term impacts of environmental changes, such as
climate variability and anthropogenic activities, on their sustainability. Prior studies

have largely relied on historical chronicles and scattered archaeological surveys,
lacking an integrated spatial framework to analyze the interactions between human

activities and environmental transformations. For example, earlier works by Brohier

(1934) and Prematilleke (1985) provided foundational insights into ancient irrigation
works and hydraulic engineering in Sri Lanka. Gunawardena (2010) discussed the

role of the state in Sri Lanka's hydraulic civilization, while Bandaranayake (1990) and
Silva (1988) contributed to the understanding of settlement archaeology and cultural

heritage in the region. More recent scholarship, such as that by Shaw (2007) and

Morrison (2013), has explored broader archaeological contexts in South Asia, often
touching upon the interconnectedness of socio-political structures and ecological

stewardship in the sustainability of ancient systems.

This research seeks to bridge the identified gap by integrating Geographic

Information Systems (GIS) with environmental archaeology to analyze the spatial
organization, function, and ecological dynamics of ancient hydraulic systems in the

Kala Oya Basin. Through this interdisciplinary lens, the study aims to unravel how

these water systems responded to climatic shifts and socio-political pressures over
time, ultimately offering lessons for contemporary water resource management. This

325