Mapagala fortress

{{Infobox Military Structure

|name = Mapagala fortress

|partof = Matale District

|location = Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

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|map_type = Sri Lanka

|map_size = 300

|map_caption = Sri Lanka

|type = Defence fort

|coordinates ={{Coord|7.951248|N|80.757718|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

|code =

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|builder = Anuradhapura Kingdom

|materials =

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|demolished =

|condition = Remnant

|open_to_public =

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Mapagala fortress was an ancient fortified complex of the Anuradhapura Kingdom long before Kasyapa I built his city, Sigiriya. It is located to the South of Sigiriya and closer to Sigiriya tank.{{cite web|url=http://www.scenicsrilanka.com/sigiriya-in-sri-lanka.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613074149/http://www.scenicsrilanka.com/sigiriya-in-sri-lanka.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2009 |title=Ancient city of Sigiriya (“The Lion Rock”) |access-date=24 November 2014 }}

It was built by using unshaped boulders to about 20 ft high. Each stone is broad and thick and some of them are about 10 ft high and about 4 ft wide. It is believed that it was built before the time of usage of metal tools.{{cite web | url=http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Spolia_Zeylanica_v5_1000777774/377 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214857/http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Spolia_Zeylanica_v5_1000777774/377 | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 March 2016 | title=Remarks on Metal Intcriirtions | access-date=24 November 2014}} Arthur Maurice Hocart noted that cyclopean style stone walls were used for the fortress, and square hammered stones were used for the ramparts of the citadel. However, his note suggests metal (iron) tools were used for construction. Excavations work in this areas found a few stone forges, which proved Hocart's claim on the usage of metal tools.{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2004/03/20/fea05.html | title=Exploring the Sigiri-bim | work=Daily News | access-date=24 November 2014}}