Age Unidentified - Lanka
Ruhuna - Terracotta ellipsoid with Groove

A terracotta pointed ellipsoid (axis ratio about half) with single grove around the middle. Found in Akurugoda in area of Tissamaharama. Age and usage unknown.

SPECIFICATIONS
MaterialTerracotta
Typeroller
Major axis33.8 mm
Minor axis17.6 mm
Weight11.16 gms
Shapeellipsoid
Edgegroove
 ruhuna_ellipsoid_grooved_Terracotta_side ruhuna_ellipsoid_grooved_Terracotta_pole
Side : Single groove arround the terracotta ellipsoid with pointed ends
End : The pointed pole of ellipsoid.

The groove around the terracotta ellipsoid may have held a string tied around it like in a pulley. Could be one of many weights put along the edge of a fishing net.

Such an terracotta item 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.