 | |
| Established | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mihintale, Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 8°21′20″N80°30′48″E / 8.3555°N 80.5133°E Coordinates: 8°21′20″N80°30′48″E / 8.3555°N 80.5133°E |
| Type | Archaeological |
| Website | http://www.archaeology.gov.lk |
Mihintale Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Mihinthale, Anuradhapura district, North Central province, Sri Lanka. [1]
This Archaeological Museum can be reached after 200 meters on the Kandy road in the south direction from the main roundabout in the center of Mihintale. Any visitor can reach this museum at the way to the Mihintale Stairway, in front of the Mihintale historical Hospital Complex.
This building, which was maintained as a retirement hall, was later taken over by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. [2] and prepared as a museum and opened on June 24, 1984 by Mr. Ranasinghe Premadasa, who held the position of Prime Minister at that time. After continuous operation for 22 years, building was in a dilapidated condition, and in the year 2006, another repair work was started and it was opened to public on May 31, 2010.
The museum exhibits archaeological objects found in Mihintale and surrounding areas. It contains bronze figurines, ancient tools, fragments of frescoes and paintings. major holding of the museum is the salivated original relic chamber (Dhātu garbha;ධාතු ගර්භය) from a Giribhanda Stupa in Mihinthale hill. [3]
Antiquities belonging to the historical hospital complex and nearly 200 different antiquities found in the Mihintale archaeological site are displayed in this museum. Among them, surgical instruments, Persian clay pots, deity figures, clay figures used for peace rituals etc. found in Mihintale Hospital are highlighted.
There are 7 displaying galleries in Mihinthale Museum and they are as follow;
01. Introduction to Stupas - In relation to Mihintale
02. Important information related to various monuments of the earth
03. Water Management at Mihintale premises
04. Antiquities found at different places
05. Use of Janthagara - Mihinthalaya premises
06. Historic Hospital of Mihintale premises
07. Sanitation related to Mihintale Monastery
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