The coral stone, known as "Hiriga" locally, was discovered in 2001 in the famous Maabadhu area of Noonu Atoll Landhoo. There are ancient scriptures engraved on the stone. According to researchers, this is the oldest written document ever found in the Maldives.
It has been in the national museum for many years now. However, photos of the stone went viral after being tweeted by Maldives National Museum.
Everyone's biggest question was what was written on it.
According to historical records, the four sides of the stone are inscribed in the Southern Brahmi script used in the sixth century CE or of the Pallava period. The inscription states a spell fom Vajrayana Buddhism, according to historians.
Gippert ge dhiraasaain e galuga huri liyun. pic.twitter.com/lhcF9HVZch— Dhivehi Archives by Naajih Didi (@NaajihDidi) November 5, 2018
Two such stones exist from the pre-Islamic era of the Maldives. Both stones were found in the island of Landhoo. The second stone is under the custody of the Landhoo Council Office. The stone has similar texts to the one that's displayed in the national museum.
While Landhoo Maabudhu has been severely damaged due to time and weather, the site had a temple and five other small stupas (a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation in the past). "Maabudhu House" is a Buddhist community house or monastery, according to a team sent to the Maldives by the "Archaeological Survey of India" in 1987.
Coral Stone with the oldest scripture in discovered in the Maldives -- Photo: National Museum
The stupa there is the main temple of the community, as stated by H.C.P. Bell and renowned historian Naseema Mohamed has also written about the same thing.
6th century CE pallava period brahmi script, written on a coral stone. This was found in Landhoo island / Maldives. “The Pallava script was based on the Brahmi script and consists of a matched set of symbols for consonants, as well as ways to write consonant clusters.” pic.twitter.com/ePpxbUHyi8— Alaa Didi (@alaadidii) January 13, 2019
The National Centre for Dhivehi Language and History has estimated that Landhoo Maabudhu is 292 feet wide and 28 feet tall.
The administration has decided to build an outdoor museum in maabudhu area and the work to build it is underway.