Moonstone advertised for auction at the Bonhams auction in London, United Kingdom – The study report

1. BBC Sinhala Service has written to me that after my report Bonhams have re-affirmed the genuineness of the Moonstone. This is what I wrote to the BBC Sinhala Service: It is good if Bonhams say this is a genuine one. Then they should establish the provenance and authenticity which we all want to do. As historians and Archaeologists we all want to establish the true history. I have written to Bonhams expressing my desire to send them a copy of the report. And waiting for a reply.

2. “The MBAL measures 146 cm (along the straight edge of the half lotus side) X 123 cm (at the longest point from the half lotus end to the semi-circular edge).”

   I am quite confused by the above measurement. As a layman I don’t know if it’s a standard way of measuring an artifact of this shape, but what I understood is, if we roughly assume this as a semi-circle then 146×123 are the measurements for d x r where d is diameter and r is the radius. But then how can 146×123 form anything close to a semi-circle? Please clarify this through a diagram or a clearer description if possible.

   • We will forward it to author.

3. Notes on Dr. Bohingamuwa’s report on the Moonstone up for sale in England, since the writer asks for feedback. It is based on the basis that it is an expert’s report.

   “Establishing the provenance and authenticity of artefacts detached from their contexts without any record is a challenging task”. True. Hence comparison of ONE in London with ONE in Sri Lanka is unacceptable: comparison with all known Anuradhapura moonstones must be made to establish that there was a standard Anuradhapura type. This is not difficult: but it has not been done.

   The Sri Lankan moonstone is special because of the commonality of decoration, though small variations are known. For example, that outside the main entrance to the Dalada Maligawa is not hemispherical: it is more like two-thirds of a circle with the central lotus being shown as a complete circle. Although the ornamentation is basically common, the hemispherical step at the lower end of a flight of step is named in Sinhala and English for is shape only. I have seen many Indian, unornamented, steps of hemispherical shape.
   “Though some scholars have traced the genesis of Sri Lankan moonstone to India, developed forms of moonstone as seen in the island are a unique creative work of Sri Lankan Art and Architecture.” This is precisely why the writer must explain on what sources he drew upon in his report. He seems to have – from the way the report is written – to only have read Godakumbure. Dr. Paranavitarna, Pundit Gunapala Senadheera (in his doctoral thesis “Buddhist Symbols of Wish Fulfilment” and my father, D.T.Devendra (in ‘Artibus Asiae’ and in Sandakadapahana saha venath lipi) – among others – have written on the moonstone. The writer cannot, in his role as an expert, make ex cathedra without a deep knowledge of the genre he is commenting on.

   To the credit of the writer it must be noted that he has made some attempt to bring the discipline of geology into his study, although very slightly. He says: “Local geologists, archaeologists with scientific background and geo-archaeologists tend to conclude that the material used for this artefact is granitic gneiss (high-grade metamorphic rock) commonly found in the North Central Province in Sri Lanka. Does this support the authenticity of the moonstone or the possibility of the replica, if it is the case, was made in Sri Lanka itself? Further research is needed, in my view, to answer these issues”. Who has said this? Why “tend to”? No names and/or sources are mentioned. Granitic gneiss is, by the way, the commonest type of rock used for monuments in the Anuradhapura era. I have forwarded this Report to a Professor of Sedimentary Geology – who worked with us maritime archaeologists in analysing rocks in a shipwreck context in Galle and the report has been published by the Archaeological Department – for his input. (NOTE: in that study petrological studies, including study of microspopic thin section slides were done) The statement that “Our consultation to determine the material/rock type used for the MBAL lead to two different views: local experts concluding it to be granitic gneiss while Oxford expert deciding it to be granite or micro granite. This issue may be resolved by petrological studies of the rock sample or examination of the moonstone by a geologists/geo-archaeologist. It is desirable to compare such data with those of the moonstones in Sri Lanka, particularly from Anuradhapura region” is particularly important, as no source or report by “Oxford expert” is given.

4. Hiranya, Clearly a typo. That should be 246×123 CM since the diameter of MBAL and MNG 10 are both 8 feet

5. Author’s comments on Mr. Somasiri Devendra’s feed back

   1. Thank you very much sir! Your comments are welcome and I really appreciate you for
   taking time to comment on this matter. I really hope that other scholars contribute to the debate as this is a national issue and we need to debate and come to a consensus-with regards to what to do with this artefact. I was rather disappointed that there was no real interest on this matter among the mainstream archaeologists! May I comment on some of the issues you have raised in your comments?

   2. I do agree with Mr. Somasiri Devendra that a thorough study of all moonstones in Anuradhapura should be conducted to establish ‘the Anuradhapura standard type’ before making comparisons. I clearly stated this in my report:
   “Ideally the author would have liked to study all Anuradhapura period moonstones and publications on Sri Lankan moonstones to compare and identify similar counterparts to that of the London one. Since he is in UK, physical examination of Anuradhapura moonstone was impossible and hence opted to study published material and see as many photographs of moonstones as possible. However the author admits that he did not have access to all publications on moonstones.”
   I requested DG/ Department of Archaeology to provide me details including recent high resolution photographs of all Anuradhapura moonstones for the very purpose Mr. Devendra has rightly highlighted. After repeated requests over the phone – as e-mails do not seem to mean anything- I am still awaiting those details! However he kept asking me for the report as there was pressure from the media on him. In the absence of required information coming from the Dept. of archaeology and pressurized for the submission of the report, I had to turn to my colleagues in Colombo, acknowledged in the report, for help. I had no option other than to satisfy with whatever material I could get hold of for writing the report. To my understanding the Dept. of Archaeology did not even expect a report as such, they just wanted an opinion. I am a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford (researching on a totally different topic) and extremely constrained by time. However I am very well aware of the importance of doing a serious study before concluding on an issue of this nature- well on any topic of research. Since I am aware of the limitations of my study- stated in the report itself- I very clearly recorded in my report that:
   “, it is exceedingly advisable to undertake further research, inclusive of the scientific analysis of the material, on the moonstones of Sri Lanka and that of MBAL before reaching a final decision. Present study should be considered as a preliminary investigation upon which further research should be based. Data collected by such research may be evaluated by a national committee of experts for reaching at a final decision.”

   3. I am well aware of the literature/ studies on the moonstone in Sri Lanka, though I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject. My present report was not meant to study the moonstone per se but to attempt to establish the provenance and authenticity of the moonstone in London. Since it was found that the moonstone in London had close similarities with MNG 10, of Godakumbure’s publication, MBAL was compared with it. I have done my study- which is by no means complete- and given details of the MBAL, that was not available to local experts such as Mr. Devendra. Now local experts on the subject are welcome to debate and come to a consensus on this national issue. This is what I really want to happen.

   3. With regards to the geological studies on the material, all the names who studied the photos and lab analysis are clearly given in the report. Please read my report carefully. Since all these discussions were done on e-mails, they were not produced in the report. In the absence any financial assistance what so ever for this study, no further scientific analysis is possible. Note that I am a doctoral student living on very limited funding! Department of archaeology by no means expected do any scientific analysis of the material. Taking a very tiny sample out of an artefact on sale by an auctioneer, in itself was an achievement to me. I thank Bonhams for that matter.

   4. Giving due considerations to all comments I am preparing to revise the substance of the report and publish it. I will include all these details in that publication.

   – Wijerathne Bohingamuwa

   • Reply emailed to archaeology.lk by Somasiri Devendra.

     Thank you for your come-back. As your report was presented as an expert’s report, I treated it as such: but I am well aware that you had no access to essential sources. I wish, though, that you had included a preliminary para explaining the limitations under which you are making the report – that would help protect your personal reputation.

     Don’t expect replies from the Dept. Paricularly emails. They don’t read them.

     While I was exposed to our heritage from childhood, I took up studies in maritime history, maritime archaeology, vernacular boat ethnology, etc. etc. after I had worked 30 years and retired on medical grounds. I never took a cent from the Dept. or CCF for my pioneering work. I worked purely for my satisfaction. Now, 14 years after open-heart surgery, I am physically limited and do not travel. In the last few years I have turned down several invitations to international conferences: the latest being to the Society of Historical Archaeology’s Annual sesssions at the University of Leicester last month. I declined and sent two people from my old team. I was never funded by anyone here, but have travelled round the world on funding from several foreign institutions – including that of Oxford where I presented a paper at a Conference on “Ships and the Development of Maritime Technology across the Indian Ocean” at St. Anthony’s College. It is published by RoutledgeCurzon, edited by David Parkin and Ruth Barnes. Lovely place, where we experienced a formal academin dinner!

     My personal view is that the moonstone is definitely Sri Lankan and in very good condition. You could compare the physiognomy of the four beasts, as they are quite revealing.

     Let us keep in touch.

     Somasiri Devendra

6. On Hiranya’s comment:
   I am sorry if I was not clear in giving measurements. To make it simple could you kindly look at the MBAL photos.

   Well, calling this moonstone a semi circular one was a rough estimate and perhaps influenced by the etymology of the term.

   – Wijerathne Bohingamuwa

7. The photograph of one at Anuradhapura clearly shows it was done under the guidance of an Arahath (probabbly Ven. Mahinda) while original Buddhism was in existence. The original Buddhism disappeared by around 01st century BC. Therefore, one at Anuradhapura should be more than 2,000 years old.

   The moon stone is a good example of what left behind by Arhaths of original Buddhism. If one knows original teaching only one can read the hidden message in the monument. Therefore, the Arhaths have left behind signals to the future so that once the original teaching makes a come back those who know it would find themselves following the long lost correct path discovered by The Buddha.

   In a moon stone built before 01st century BC the outer three layers symbolizes the 03 planes of minds attachment (Bhoomis) of the lay being (Putujjana). The outermost layer depicts the Kama Bhoomi and symbolized by fire. The second layer depicts the Rupa Bhoomi (04 properties of matter called solid-patavi, liquid- apo, gas-wayo and energy-tejo) and was symbolized by elephant(patavi), bull(apo), horse(vayo) and lion(tejo). The third bhoomi is Vinnana or Arupa bhoomi and is shown as a vine.

   When you enter the noble eight-fold path (NEP) you become Sangha and is depicted by the layer of swans. Travel in NEP takes you to Prajna (Nirvana) which was symbolized by the lotus at the center.

   If the construction was done under the supervision of an Arhath (before 01st century BC) you would find the following as well.

   1. Number of steps should be 04 with the 05th one as landing or 08 steps with 09th as landing etc.

   2. The Guard stones should be with 07 headed cobra behind the guard and in his hand there should be a sword (or some weapon) and in the other there should be a pot. The guard must be standing on 06 elephants.

   3. There should be a 07 headed cobra on 04 or 06 windings (or an elephant) near a water body such as a lake or a pond.

   I think the above would be useful for archaeologists.

8. Mr. Bohingamuwa,

   “BBC Sinhala Service has written to me that after my report Bonhams have re-affirmed the genuineness of the Moonstone.”

   Obviously, Bonhams’ have their own monetary interests in re-affirming the genuineness of the Moonstone. I sincerely hope that they can provide a basis for their re-affirmation from an expert who has no monetary benefit from this auction.

   Please keep the readership updated about the latest developments with respect to this topic.

9. Did you see this:
   http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130303/plus/moonstone-saga-unearths-uncovered-ground-35026.html

10. Please contact Prof. Dayananda Amarasekera in the Dept. Of Archeaology, University of Kalaniya, who has done extensive research on Sandkadapahana for his MA thesis. I will give you some more reference, if you need.

    • We forwarded your comment to author.

11. The British Museum agrees to My report’s Findings:
    Dr MICHAEL WILLIS /Department of Asia /British Museum/ London Moonstone

    a) The Bonhams piece is remarkabley close to the one near Thuparama, as noted in Bohin’s (Bohingamuwa) report. It is part-by-part directly related. All moonstones are of a type, it is true, especially the Anuradhapura group. This can be seen in the 1960s publication on Moonstones, a scan of which I was able to procure with Bohin’s help.

    c) The moonstones measured by Bohin’s (Bohingamuwa) colleagues in situ are all about 5-6 cm thick, while Bonham’s is 14-18 cm thick. Bohin proposed this was done so it would be safe when transported and I am inclined to agree with that conclusion.
    My conclusion? Probably a 19th century copy.

    Dr MICHAEL WILLIS
    Department of Asia
    British Museum
    London WC1B 3DG
    ————
    Research Fellow
    Cardiff University
    School of Architecture
    Cardiff CF10 3NB

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