Belilena, Prehistoric cave site near Kitulgala, Sri Lanka
Description
Belilena is a limestone cave with multiple chambers situated in dense forest near Kitulgala. A lake lies near its entrance, and the cave sits high in the surrounding hills.
History
The cave was excavated during 1978 to 1983, revealing artifacts and remains that date back more than 30,000 years. These discoveries show that humans inhabited this region in very ancient times.
Culture
The site is associated with early human settlement, revealing how people prepared food and maintained connections through trade networks. Visitors can understand how communities adapted to the forest environment thousands of years ago.
Practical
Reaching the cave requires using ropes and ladders, so being physically prepared is important. Arriving early in the morning and bringing proper hiking gear will help you navigate the climb safely.
Did you know?
The cave holds evidence of stone building structures from around 16,000 years ago. This makes it one of the oldest known places with such constructions in the South Asian region.
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