The archaeological excavation in the Alavala Pothgullena Cave located in Attanagalla in the Gampaha District has revealed a number of new discoveries and important facts including fashion, jewellery as well as the rituals and beliefs of the prehistoric people.

However, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIR) Senior Lecturer and University of Kelaniya, Division of Bio and Geo Archaeology Head Professor Gamini Adikari told ‘The Island’ yesterday the excavation commenced in 2008 was not yet completed and funds were needed to continue further research.

He said that they had requested the University Grants Commission for Rs 2.5 million for further excavations. He said further excavations would take at least another six months. He estimated nearly Rs. five million was needed for a thorough excavation.

Professor Adhikari said although it was believed that prehistoric man who lived in Europe, Africa and in the Middle East had used jewellery and other ornament, there were few reports of Sri Lanka’s prehistoric people.

"Simple fashion designs of the prehistoric man in Alavala Pothgullena Cave signify interesting facts such as his skills in creative designing based on their intellectual ideologies and also the material culture," Professor Adikari said.

Professor Adikari said that materials used for designs and rituals were suggestive of their closeness to nature.

"A pendent made of a shark indicates that the prehistoric man had a connection with the coast and marine animals," he added.

PGIR Director and Alavala Excavation Project Director Professor Nimal De Silva said although the excavation was limited to three months and for two phases, data collected were of tremendous importance.