Archaeo-palynological evidence from Galsohon-Kanatta, a megalithic, cemetery in Yapahuwa, North Western Sri Lanka suggests that floral material (i.e. flowers) from several species of pinophyta and angiosperms were deliberately deposited in urn-cist burials as part of the mortuary ritual carried out during the post-cremation processing of corpses during the Early Historic Period (420 cal BC – cal AD 20). Materials from subtropical flora (e.g. Pinus sp. Tsuga sp. Nymphaea cf. tetragona and N. cf. alba) and native flora (e.g. Pandanus spp. and N. cf. lotus and Nelumbo cf. nicifera) were undoubtedly deposited. This suggests that contacts between communities in many parts of Asia and ancient Egypt were significant during the Early Historic Period. Societies at that time living in an agricultural landscape were more likely have used rice grains as part of burial ritual. Expansion of a maritime trade-network in the Indian Ocean, which coincided with persistently strengthening monsoon, enabled the establishment of these exceptional contacts.

Highlights

  • Pinophyta and angiosperms materials deposited in burials at 420 cal BC–cal AD 20.
  • Contacts between communities in parts of Asia and Egypt were significant at that age.
  • Societies at that time were likely have used rice grains as part of burial ritual.
  • Trade-network in the Indian Ocean coincided with persistently strengthening monsoon.
  • This enabled the establishment of these exceptional contacts.