Sri Lanka Unearths 17 Gold-Plated Buddha Statues Dating Back to the 7th or 8th Century

Sri Lankan archaeologists have uncovered 17 gold-plated Buddha statues during an archaeological excavation at the historic Abhayagiri complex in Anuradhapura.

The discovery was made at the Kaparamula premises of the ancient Buddhist complex. According to reports, the statues are believed to date from the 7th or 8th century AD, making them roughly 1,200 to 1,300 years old. 

The discovery has attracted attention because the statues were found together during ongoing archaeological work at one of Sri Lanka's most important ancient Buddhist sites.

17 Buddha Statues Found at Abhayagiri

The statues were uncovered while archaeologists were working at the Kaparamula area of the Abhayagiri complex in Anuradhapura.
The newly discovered objects are described as gold-plated Buddha statues. Their artistic style has been linked to Buddhist images from the 7th and 8th centuries, although further examination will be important for establishing more precise details about their date and origin.
The discovery adds a new group of Buddhist sculptures to the archaeological record of ancient Anuradhapura.

Why Abhayagiri Is Important

Abhayagiri was one of the major Buddhist monastic centres of ancient Sri Lanka. It was not simply a single temple but a large religious complex that developed over many centuries.

The wider city of Anuradhapura became an important centre of Buddhism and political power in ancient Sri Lanka. Large monasteries, stupas and other religious buildings were established across the city.

Abhayagiri was among the most prominent of these institutions and played an important role in the development of Buddhist learning and religious activity in the region.

The archaeological remains of Anuradhapura are now part of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Importance of the New Discovery

Finding 17 Buddha statues at one archaeological location is important for the study of ancient Sri Lankan Buddhist art.

The statues may help researchers understand the artistic traditions that existed in Anuradhapura during the period when Buddhist sculpture was developing in new forms.

Their gold-plated surfaces are also significant because precious materials were used in religious art to give sacred images a special visual and symbolic importance.

However, archaeologists will need to study the statues in detail before drawing conclusions about who made them, how they were used and why they were placed at the location where they were found.

A Discovery From More Than a Thousand Years Ago

The reported 7th- or 8th-century date places the statues in a period when Anuradhapura remained an important centre of Buddhist culture.

At that time, Sri Lanka had strong religious and cultural connections with other parts of the Buddhist world. Monks, pilgrims, artists and scholars travelled between different regions of South and Southeast Asia.

Objects found in archaeological excavations can therefore provide information not only about local religious practices but also about wider artistic and cultural connections.

What Happens to the Statues Now?

The newly discovered statues will require detailed archaeological study and conservation.
Experts can examine their materials, workmanship, gold plating and artistic features to learn more about their history. Such work is especially important for ancient metal sculptures because their surfaces can contain valuable evidence about manufacturing techniques and later changes.
Further research may also help establish whether the statues were originally placed in a religious structure, used for worship or deliberately buried at a later period.
At this stage, the exact reason for their burial remains unclear.

Anuradhapura Continues to Reveal Its Buddhist Past

The discovery of the 17 gold-plated Buddha statues shows that archaeological work at Anuradhapura continues to produce important evidence about Sri Lanka's Buddhist past.

The ancient city contains a large number of monasteries, stupas and other structures, many of which have been studied for decades. Yet archaeological excavations continue to reveal objects that add new details to the history of these religious centres.

The newly discovered Buddha statues are now another important part of that archaeological record.

Further examination of the sculptures could provide researchers with a clearer picture of Buddhist art and religious life in ancient Sri Lanka between more than a thousand years ago