Pahiyangala Cave: Where Prehistory Meets Pilgrimage

Sri Lanka’s Oldest Human Habitat (37,000+ Years!)

This mammoth rock shelter (55m x 46m) isn’t just a cave—it’s a time capsule revealing:

• 6,000-year-old human skulls – Among Asia’s oldest skeletal remains
• Ancient elephant fossils – Proof of early human-animal coexistence
• 3rd-century Buddhist history – Where Chinese monk Fa-Hien meditated

Why This Site is Globally Significant

Archaeological Wonders

• Evidence of Balangoda Man – Sri Lanka’s prehistoric inhabitants
• Excavated artifacts – Stone tools, animal bones, and charcoal hearths
• Ongoing research by international teams

Spiritual Legacy

• Meditation grooves worn into rock by centuries of monks
• Stupa platform built by King Valagamba (1st century BCE)
• Annual pilgrimages by Chinese Buddhists honoring Fa-Hien

Visitor Experience

1. Cave Exploration

• Fossil Display: See replicas of the skull discoveries
• "Monk’s Seat": Natural stone chair where Fa-Hien preached
• Jungle Viewpoint: Spot wild peacocks and monkeys

2. Nearby Adventures

• Bulathsinhala Spice Gardens (20-min drive)
• Kithulgala White Water Rafting (1-hour drive)

3. Hiking & Nature

• Forest trails with medicinal plants
• Waterfall detour to nearby Baththalegoda Falls

Visitor Tips

Footwear: Sturdy shoes for the 15-minute uphill climb

Entry: ~LKR 500 (Includes guide)

Photography: Allowed (No flash near artifacts)

Local Insights

Hidden Gem: The "Herb Wall" – Rare ferns used in Ayurveda

Best Time: December–March (dry season for clear trails)

Book a Prehistoric Sri Lanka Tour!

From ancient caves to colonial history: srilankatourhelp.org

Did You Know? This cave sheltered humans continuously from 37,000 BCE to 600 CE—one of the world’s longest-occupied sites!