Artifacts, Jethavanaramaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A magical incantation drawn on stone?

Engravings on stone for dice games?

Vertical etch marks on stone for keeping accounts?

Markings on stone for a donation?

The seven-headed cobra and dancing girls.

The 'Seven-headed Cobra' is much represented in stone carvings. It is claimed by some that a single headed cobra denotes a naga, a three-headed cobra represents a Naga Queen, a five-headed cobra represented a Naga King and a seven-headed cobra a Naga God. The Nagas seem to have played a very significant part in the Buddhist and Hindu religions in South Asia. They contributed much to the culture of the region thus the words 'Nagara' ('Naagar+aham' Dwelling of the Nagas), 'Naagariika' - to live like the Nagas, came into use. Their history is truly found 'in stone'. Genetically they contributed much to the present residents of the area. Nagas were claimed to be a mongoloid race. A yellowish skin color and a flat nose were their attributes. The fashion a generation ago of applying saffron ('Kaha' S- 'Manjal' T) to the skin by Sri Lankans maybe a bid to imitate the skin color. A flat nose did not contribute much to the beauty of the face. The habit of our grand-mothers of gently massaging and 'pulling the nose' of a new-born was an attempt to correct this anatomy, as embedded in our racial memory.

Jethavanaramaya and stone artifacts, Sri Lanka.

The Jetavanaramaya (Sinhala:ජේතවනාරාමය) is a stupa, located in the ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Mahasena (273-301 AD) initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of Mahavihara. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa.^[1] A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

The structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhist monks, it is also significant in world history as one of the tallest structures in the ancient world.^[2][3] The height of the stupa is 400 feet (122 m)^{[citation needed]} and was the tallest ancient stupa in the world, the structure is no longer the tallest however it is the largest with a volume of 233,000 m²(2,508,000 sq ft). At the time of its completion the structure was the third tallest structure in the world behind the Great Pyramids of Giza.^[2]Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; the engineering ingenuity behind the construction of the structure is a significant development in the history of the island. The sectarian differences between the Buddhist monks also are represented by the stupa as it was built on the premises of the destroyed Mahavihara, which led to a rebellion by a minister of king Mahasena.

This stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound covers approximately 5.6 hectares and is estimated to have housed 10,000 Buddhist monks. One side of the stupa is 576 ft (176 m) long, and the flights of stairs at each of the four sides of it are 28 ft (9 m) wide. The doorpost to the shrine, which is situated in the courtyard, is 27 ft (8 m) high. The stupa has a 8.5 m (28 ft) deep foundation, and sits on bedrock. Stone inscriptions in the courtyard give the names of people who donated to the building effort. (Wikipedia).

it was Built in 3rd centaury. A.D. by king Mahasen (Mahasena). Originally it was about 400 feet high. 

It was the 3rd tallest building in the world during that time. 2 pyramids were higher than Jethawanaramaya. However pyramids were not constructed using brick  
. 

Therefore Jethawanaramaya is the tallest building made out of brick. The only dagaba situated outside the Mahamewna Uyana garden. It is situated in Nandana Uyana garden.

 There are several opinions to the creation of the Name Jethawanaramaya. Part of the robe wore by Lord Buddha is kept inside the dagaba as a relic. There were 4 entrances to the dagaba. Unfortunately they have partially collapsed. 

There are beautiful stone carving in these entrances. The dagaba is being reconstructed under the Cultural Triangle Project. King Mahasen has donated the temple to Sagalika sect.

 Inside ‘budu ge’ (worship house for Lord Buddha) there are 3 statues of Lord Buddha and few statues of kings. The first statue among them is the statue of king Mahasen who build the temple.   – Copy Sinhalaya.com.

'Nellikulama', Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Scenes at Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, on the road from Thanthrimale to Anuradhapura.

This is shrub jungle bordering the main road. Foot paths have been made into cleared areas where scenes from incidents in the life of Lord Buddha are depicted as statues.

Sights at Thantrimale, Sri Lanka.

The 'Banyan tree' at the entrance to the historic site.

Flowers for sale to be used in the 'Pooja'.

Water lily and lotus flowers.

A 'Flame of the forest' in bloom.