Considered to be the largest natural rock in Asia and also known to be the most ancient pre-historic human settlement in Asia, the Fa Hien caves are scenically located in the district of Kalutara, Western Province, Sri Lanka. Legendary tales reveal that the cave complex was named after a famous Chinese monk “Fa Hsien” who visited and explored the cave complex during 4th century AD. However there has been no archeological or historical evidence to prove this legendary tale. Its breathtaking location standing 450 feet above its surroundings is a popular attraction for tourists as well as locals. You can make a visit to this prehistoric cave complex while enjoying special Hotel Offers in Kalutara such as Mermaid hotel & club which always has something unique to offer its local and foreign guests. It is also located within easy reach to the Fa Hien Caves.
The cave complex is 175 feet high and over 200 feet long at the entrance and archeologists believe that 3000 people can be easily accommodated in this cave. There are natural tunnels running inside the caves that have been blocked. The Fa Hien caves have been divided into four sections of which the left cave is the largest and centre of it. Fa Hien Caves were first excavated in the late 1960′s. There is a deep pit dug out by the Archaeological Department in which five human skulls were found and were identified as 37,000 years old by carbon dating in USA. Biologically, this cave dweller had a short vertebral structure, wide jaw bones, a large palette and big grinding teeth. Some stone weapons and animal bones were also recovered. Together with stone artifacts, grindstones coloured with red ochre and faunal remnants were also found at the site during the excavation.
Later this cave complex was converted to a Buddhist temple and the excavation produced valuable information on the prehistoric inhabitants of the cave and their lifestyles. This amazing cave complex is a unique blend of history, culture and nature.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
