[1] This Archaeological Museum can be reached after 200 meters on the Kandy road in the south direction from the main roundabout in the center of Mihintale.

major holding of the museum is the salivated original relic chamber (Dhātu garbha;ධාතු ගර්භය) from a Giribhanda Stupa in Mihinthale hill.

The conservation of the three basal terraces of the stiipa to the east of the Kantaka Cetiya, excavated in 1951, was continued, the mouldings being restored to their pristine shape for a considerable part of the circumference.

A pit dug through loose debris was the only means of obtaining access to this garbha and the cutting through the floor of the upper chamber had necessarily to be restricted in its dimensions.

If the paintings were to be preserved in situ, and at the same time made accessible to students of art and archaeology, the sides of the pit dug through loose debris had to be lined with masonry, the cutting through the floor of the upper chamber widened and a flight of steps provided.

Such a course would not have left masonry to an adequate thickness to ensure the stability of the dome, of which the facing had crumbled down right round the circumference from a height of two or three feet above the uppermost of the basal terraces.

In this predicament, Mr. Sarath Vattala, the Modeller of the department, offered to carry out the task successfully and with precautionary measures none the less efficient for being of comparatively low cost.

The overseer at Mihintalé, and indeed all the labourers who helped Mr. Vattala in this task, must share in the credit for this achievement, for they ungrudgingly gave their co-operation.