A joint team of Sri Lankan and international researchers has used acoustic-seismic mapping to discover an uncharted network of subterranean hydraulic galleries beneath the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The technology, which measures the resonance of sound waves through solid rock, revealed hidden conduits designed to funnel rainwater from the summit into the legendary Water Gardens below.
This discovery confirms that the engineers of King Kassapa’s reign utilized advanced hydro-dynamic principles to maintain high-pressure fountains and reflecting pools. The findings will assist conservationists in restoring the ancient plumbing system without invasive excavation, preserving the structural integrity of the UNESCO site.