Age Unidentified - Lanka
Ruhuna - Stone ellipsoid - Grooved

A stone ellipsoid (axis ratio equals half) with many spiral groves carved on it from one rounded end to the other. Found in Akurugoda in area of Tissamaharama. Age and usage unknown.

SPECIFICATIONS
MaterialStone
Typeroller
Major axis33.2 mm
Minor axis16.6 mm
Weight10.66 gms
Shapeellipsoid
Edgegrooved
 ruhuna_ellipsoid_grooved_Stone_side ruhuna_ellipsoid_grooved_Stone_pole
Side : Spiral grooves carved across the stone ellipsoidal roller
End : The spiral grooves merge at pole.

The grooved stone ellipsoid may be a seal that is rolled to get impression. Larger stones like this are used to grind spices. Maybe this stone also had a similar application.

Such a stone roller is not listed in the 1999 catalog by Osmund Bopearachchi and Rajah Wickramasinhe titled Ruhuna. An Ancient Civilization Re-visited . It was obtained from the same collector who provided most of the items for that book.

If anyone has information on the age and use of items like it please let me know details about it.

The ellipsoid was scanned at 300 dpi and displayed at 300 dpi. It was obtained in 2001 December from Mr A. Ratnayaka a collector in Katharagama, Lanka.