A Time of Change: Questioning the “Collapse" of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Reassessment of Anuradhapura's terminal period challenges the dominant narrative of its collapse, revealing that the eleventh-century Chola invasion was not the sole cause. Archaeological evidence suggests a more complex scenario, with alternative factors such as epidemic malaria and shifts in imperial economic models playing significant roles. This study moves beyond textual sources to provide a nuanced understanding of Anuradhapura's abandonment, offering a more balanced and less politically charged interpretation.

Strickland, K. M. (2017). A Time of Change: Questioning the “Collapse” of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1pzk1cj