Description
Ancient Natural Yellow Sapphire Mukkaru Bead from Ancient Galpaya Village
The Ancient Natural Yellow Sapphire Mukkaru Bead is a rare and significant artifact found in Sri Lanka’s Galpaya Village, where the Mukkaru people once lived. This piece of history showcases the advanced skills and craftsmanship of the Mukkaru people, who were gem specialists that migrated to Sri Lanka during the ancient times, roughly 700 to 1000 years ago. They were renowned for their gem mining and trading expertise, which left a lasting legacy in Sri Lanka’s rich gemstone history.
This unique yellow sapphire bead weighs 6.90 carats and measures 15 x 9 x 5.4 mm. The bead has a nice yellow color with natural inclusions, and it has not undergone any treatments, preserving its natural beauty as nature intended. The Mukkaru people were skilled in polishing some of the hardest stones, such as sapphire, which ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. They used traditional polishing techniques involving kabarondum dust to achieve remarkable results, even with limited technology.
What makes this particular bead fascinating is its shape and craftsmanship. Like many other Mukkaru beads, it was meticulously polished and drilled, but the hole in this bead is unique. The center hole, with a diameter of 1.00 mm, does not extend completely to the other side. The diameter of both sides is larger, measuring 1.5 mm. This design suggests that the bead may have been used as a connector in a necklace, possibly holding a pendant in place. It is possible that a thread or cord would have passed through the center to secure additional jewelry elements. The purpose of this design remains open to interpretation, but it hints at the ingenuity and creativity of the Mukkaru people in designing their jewelry.
Discoveries like these beads are significant because they show us not only the gemstone craftsmanship of the ancient Mukkaru but also the cultural and practical uses of these gems in their daily lives. Gems like spinel and garnet, once considered low-value stones during the Mukkaru period, have now become highly valued. This shift in value makes these ancient gems even more fascinating to modern collectors and historians.
The Mukkaru bead found in Galpaya Village represents a part of history that has been rediscovered through modern-day mining in areas where the Mukkaru once worked. People are once again mining these sites, finding gems left behind or discarded, giving them new value in today’s market.
In conclusion, this ancient natural yellow sapphire Mukkaru bead offers a glimpse into the past and is a fine example of the intricate craftsmanship of the Mukkaru people. Its unique design, size, and color make it a valuable artifact, and its history only adds to its allure.
