Carbon samples of the Pahiyangala skeleton to determine the period

An investigation is to be carried out to determine as to how old is the skeleton of a pre-historic man found during excavations from the Fa-Hien cave archaeological site in Pahiyangala of Kalutara District. Deputy Director General of Archaeology Nimal Perera said that Carbon samples will be dispatched to the United States for the investigations.

The Deputy Director said that after field tests, it was found that this was a significant discovery. A scientific test on the skeleton is necessary. As such Carbon samples will be obtained within the next few days. These will be dispatched to a Laboratory in the United States to determine the period of the skeleton. He said it was hoped to solicit the support of scientists for the conduct of further studies.
The skeleton is believed to be about 37,000 years old and belonged to the Homo sapiens species known as Balangoda Man. The Deputy Director General of Archaeology pointed out that these investigations are being undertaken to consolidate it. It is considered to be the full skeleton discovered from South Asia. Special initiatives have been taken to safeguard it. As such the Department of Archaeology has called on the public to refrain form visiting it.