Kondey (Gaafu Alif Atoll)

Kondey or Kondē (Dhivehi: ކޮނޑޭ) is one of the inhabited islands of Northern Huvadhu Atoll, administrative code Gaafu Alifu. It is a long wooded island located on Huvadu Atoll's eastern rim.

Archaeology

This island has large ruins from the historical Maldivian Buddhist era.

• A ruined Stupa called “Kodey Haviththa” is on the east of the island, about 800 feet (240 m) from the shore. It is 47 feet (14 m) square and 4 feet (1.2 m) high.
• On the south-west of the island, about 500 feet (150 m) from the above, there is another “Haviththa” which is 50 feet (15 m) square and 4 feet (1.2 m) high.
• On the southern fringes, about 400 feet (120 m) away from the shore there is another “Haviththa” measuring 60 feet (18 m) square and 6 feet (1.8 m) in height. It has a depression at the centre which is 7 feet (2.1 m) in diameter and 2 feet (0.61 m) in depth.

Besides the above there are other ruins scattered all over the island. None of them have been properly investigated, although a Makara (sea monster) head in stone was found during Thor Heyerdahl's expedition. Mr. Muhammad Lutfee is seen holding this Makara head in one of the pictures of Thor Heyerdahl's book. The Makara was a common embellishment in classical Hindu and Buddhist temples.

References

• H. C. P. Bell, The Maldive Islands; Monograph on the History, Archaeology and Epigraphy. Reprint Colombo 1940. Council for Linguistic and Historical Research. Male’ 1989
• Skjølsvold, Arne. 1991. Archaeological Test-Excavations On The Maldive Islands. The Kon-Tiki Museum Occasional Papers, Vol. 2. Oslo
• Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84 7254 801 5