Runnensteen in Polonnaruwa op Sri Lanka 1870 - 1872

Joseph Lawton captured this photograph of the Runnensteen, or stone inscription, in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, using an unknown photographic process. This image presents us with a complex interplay between the photographic gaze and ancient Sri Lankan culture. The Runnensteen itself is a historical artifact, a stone inscription that likely served as a proclamation or record of royal decrees. The act of photographing it transforms it into an object of Western study and documentation, reflecting the colonial-era interest in cataloging and understanding the cultures of colonized lands. Lawton's photograph invites us to consider the role of photography in shaping perceptions of historical and cultural artifacts. Through the lens of social history, we can examine how this image contributed to a broader understanding—or misunderstanding—of Sri Lanka's past. Research into colonial archives, travelogues, and photographic surveys would provide valuable insight.