US and Sri Lanka Highlight Maritime Connections Through Godawaya Shipwreck Exhibition

 The exhibition is also a reminder of the Indo-Pacific’s vital role in maintaining peace and security, while safeguarding sovereign rights a shared interest for both the United States and Sri Lanka.

The exhibition at BMICH will open to the public at 11:00 a.m. on September 3 and will then be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 4 and 5.

Discovered off the coast of the fishing village of Godawaya in southern Sri Lanka, the Godawaya Ancient Shipwreck is the oldest known wooden shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region, dating back more than 2,100 years to the 1st or 2nd century BCE. 

This extraordinary underwater archaeological site provides rare insights into early Indian Ocean trade and seafaring.

The project is funded through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a U.S. Government initiative that supports projects worldwide to safeguard cultural heritage — from historic sites and artifacts to traditional art forms. 

Through AFCP, experts have recovered and documented remarkable artifacts at Godawaya, including clay pottery, grinding stones, glass and metal ingots, and carnelian beads, shedding light on Sri Lanka’s ancient role in regional trade and cultural exchange. Ongoing conservation and research efforts aim to uncover the ship’s exact origin and further illuminate its place in maritime history.

The symposium will bring together maritime archaeologists and cultural experts to highlight the significance of the Godawaya site and underscore the broader importance of safeguarding Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Artifacts recovered from the site will be preserved and displayed at the Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, ensuring they remain accessible to both Sri Lankans and international visitors.

 This initiative reflects the enduring U.S.–Sri Lanka partnership in heritage preservation and advancing research for future generations.