A recent study has uncovered the earliest scientifically verified evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back approximately 3,460 years. This finding challenges the long-held belief that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. Conducted by Thilanka Siriwardana from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the University of Groningen, the research examined a significant shell midden, designated CB/Ex1, located about a kilometer south of Velanai beach. The study reveals that while the earliest marine deposits date back around 6,300 to 5,970 years, the confirmed human occupation is the oldest identified in northern Sri Lanka.
Historically, scholars have doubted the Jaffna Peninsula’s suitability for early habitation due to its dry climate and limited freshwater resources. Previous archaeological evidence indicated human presence mainly in the wetter southern regions of Sri Lanka. However, this new research highlights that Velanai’s inhabitants relied heavily on marine resources, with mollusks constituting nearly 60% of the shell remains found. Their diet was supplemented by various land and sea animals, showcasing a versatile subsistence strategy.
The toolkit discovered at the site is particularly revealing, containing both local materials and quartz and chert flakes sourced from nearly 60 kilometers away. This suggests that the community engaged in deliberate transport of raw materials, indicating their capacity for short-distance seafaring. Siriwardana posits that the lack of earlier evidence in northern Sri Lanka is likely due to preservation issues rather than uninhabitability, as rising sea levels during the Holocene may have submerged earlier settlements.
The implications of this research extend beyond academic interest; for Tamils, the findings affirm a deep historical connection to the region. The evidence of settled, seafaring communities on the Jaffna islands reinforces the notion that human life in the North has ancient roots, countering narratives that have historically marginalized Tamil heritage in the context of Sri Lanka’s archaeological discourse.
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