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Ancient Ceylon
This book had been first published in 1909 and was republished by the Asian Educational Service in 1981. Thereafter the AES had done 3 reprints, the last being 1999.
Illustrations which are many in the book are attributed to the author.
Illustrations which are many in the book are attributed to the author.
694 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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February 11, 2026
This is a very interesting reading for those who are into ancient civilizations. He also lists a lot of bibliographical reference that I saved for later research and that means the reading doesn't finish with this book, but it keeps going.
Since the author seems way too knowledgeable about certain topics unrelated to irrigation and local traditions, I tried to dive a bit into his life, but I couldn't find anything. He was apparently appointed in Sri Lanka to the irrigation department, documented his findings (and more) and vanished into mist.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I don't share most of his conclusion on some topics. He starts his arguments in the right direction, but somehow spins facts on improbable conclusions.
For example, at pag.348 he describes Ninaa as the goddess Bau, the Great Mother, but Ninaa was really Inanna also known as Ishtar or Astarte a Phoenician goddess.
Another example is how he interprets some symbols on ancient coins. He says that anyone could print their own symbols on coins, but at pag.520 he contradicts himself by writing "It is clear that the punch-marked coinage was a private coinage issued by guilds and silversmiths with the permission of the ruling powers."
Plus, he mentions the interpretation by A. Cunningham who said that several of those symbols may have been the private marks of ancient money changers, by saying that those symbols were just to be intended as protective or lucky charms and that by admitting the money changers theory, it would be necessary to admit there were persons who earned a living in this manner in those early days.
What? Of course there were! It was traders that settled in Sri Lanka and so far as Burma (the Land of Gold) and perhaps further East. And he knew that, because at pag.261 he wrote that the people of the East borrowed the alphabet from the Semites (in relation to the Phoenicians, so, maybe, they borrowed not only the alphabet).
Despite some spins, the book was still worth of my time. There is always something new to be learned.
Since the author seems way too knowledgeable about certain topics unrelated to irrigation and local traditions, I tried to dive a bit into his life, but I couldn't find anything. He was apparently appointed in Sri Lanka to the irrigation department, documented his findings (and more) and vanished into mist.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I don't share most of his conclusion on some topics. He starts his arguments in the right direction, but somehow spins facts on improbable conclusions.
For example, at pag.348 he describes Ninaa as the goddess Bau, the Great Mother, but Ninaa was really Inanna also known as Ishtar or Astarte a Phoenician goddess.
Another example is how he interprets some symbols on ancient coins. He says that anyone could print their own symbols on coins, but at pag.520 he contradicts himself by writing "It is clear that the punch-marked coinage was a private coinage issued by guilds and silversmiths with the permission of the ruling powers."
Plus, he mentions the interpretation by A. Cunningham who said that several of those symbols may have been the private marks of ancient money changers, by saying that those symbols were just to be intended as protective or lucky charms and that by admitting the money changers theory, it would be necessary to admit there were persons who earned a living in this manner in those early days.
What? Of course there were! It was traders that settled in Sri Lanka and so far as Burma (the Land of Gold) and perhaps further East. And he knew that, because at pag.261 he wrote that the people of the East borrowed the alphabet from the Semites (in relation to the Phoenicians, so, maybe, they borrowed not only the alphabet).
Despite some spins, the book was still worth of my time. There is always something new to be learned.
Displaying 1 of 1 review