The origins of writing in South Asia have long been a subject of fascination and debate. At the heart of this discussion lies Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first great city and one of the earliest urban centres in the region. Archaeologists working here have uncovered evidence that changes the way we think about literacy, culture, and exchange in the ancient Indian Ocean world.
Recent findings suggest that Sri Lanka was not simply a passive recipient of Indian influences, but an active player in shaping the history of the Brahmi script — the writing system that would go on to carry Buddhism across Asia.
The Cambridge Archaeological Journal Contribution
In their 2024 article “A Passage to India? Anuradhapura and the Early Use of the Brahmi Script”, Robin Coningham and colleagues argue that:
- Anuradhapura preserves some of the earliest securely dated Brahmi inscriptions in South Asia.
- Pottery sherds incised with short Brahmi characters were discovered in sealed archaeological contexts, radiocarbon-dated to the early 4th century BCE.
- This places Brahmi in Sri Lanka well before the famous Ashokan edicts of the 3rd century BCE.
- Crucially, the finds suggest two-way interaction across the Bay of Bengal, rather than a simple “north-to-south” diffusion of writing. Sri Lanka was likely an active participant in Brahmi’s early adaptation.
- The emphasis is on secure archaeological contexts — finds linked to radiocarbon-dated layers, avoiding the uncertainties of surface or stylistic dating.
The result is a powerful re-framing of Sri Lanka’s role in the story of writing and religion in South Asia.
Deraniyagala vs. Coningham: Two Interpretations
The debate over the earliest Brahmi at Anuradhapura is sharpened when we compare two key archaeologists: Siran U. Deraniyagala and Robin A.E. Coningham.
Siran U. Deraniyagala
- Excavations by Sri Lanka’s Department of Archaeology revealed settlement horizons going back to c. 900 BCE, with iron tools, paddy remains, and advanced pottery.
- Among these layers were pottery sherds with incised characters resembling Brahmi.
- Deraniyagala argued that literacy may have been present as early as the 6th century BCE, and perhaps even linked to the 900 BCE horizon.
- He proposed that writing could have arrived through long-distance cultural exchange — stretching the possible beginnings of literacy in Lanka by centuries.
- This bold interpretation positions Sri Lanka as having one of the earliest literate traditions in South Asia, though critics note the lack of directly inscribed sherds from the deepest levels.
Robin A.E. Coningham
- Later British–Sri Lankan excavations at Anuradhapura Salgaha Watta (ASW2) uncovered Brahmi sherds in sealed, radiocarbon-dated contexts from the early 4th century BCE.
- Coningham insists on a methodological emphasis: inscriptions must be tied to datable layers, not speculative associations.
- He confirms Brahmi in Sri Lanka at least a century before Ashoka — a major discovery in itself.
- Coningham’s approach avoids over-extension, but still establishes Anuradhapura as a pioneering centre of early literacy.
Why the Debate Matters
This debate is not just about dates — it’s about Sri Lanka’s place in world history.
- If Deraniyagala is right, Sri Lanka may have hosted one of the earliest literate societies in South Asia, rewriting the timeline of writing itself.
- If Coningham is right, the island still claims the earliest securely dated Brahmi inscriptions, shifting our understanding of cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.
Either way, the evidence from Anuradhapura proves that Sri Lanka was no cultural backwater. It stood at the crossroads of trade, religion, and innovation — a society whose literacy helped carry the Buddha’s word across Asia.
Closing Reflections
The story of Brahmi at Anuradhapura is a reminder that archaeology is never static. With each trench and each radiocarbon date, our picture of the past changes. Deraniyagala invites us to imagine bold possibilities of a deep antiquity of writing in Sri Lanka. Coningham grounds us in what can be proven, revealing how method and evidence together reshape history.
Both voices enrich our understanding. And together they affirm one truth: Sri Lanka was central, not peripheral, in the ancient story of writing and civilization.
Special Thanks
This article is written with deep appreciation for the pioneering scholars whose work inspires us — and with special thanks to Mr. Yohan Rajapakse, whose support and encouragement continue to guide our efforts at Buddha of Lanka.
