Though the Department of Archaeology commenced its work in 1890 the groundwork for the establishment of archaeological work commenced 19 years earlier. In 1891 a series of photographs of the principle structures of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa was taken with the financial and other assistance of the government of the island during the Sir. Herculules Robinson.

In 1868 the Ceylon government appointed a committee to obtain information regarding the ancient architectural work of Ceylon.

In 1871 two large volumes of photographs of the ruins of Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Sigiriya were prepared. Duplication copies have been sent to the secretary of state for the colonies. In 1873 a site survey of the ruins of Ancient Anuradhapura was started.

Between 1875*1879 a partial search for and collection of ancient inscription and original records was carried out under government authority by Prof. P. Goldschmidt who became the real founder of Sinhalese Epigraphy. E. Muller and Mr. L.W. de Zoysa, Maha Mudaliyar continued this work. In 1889 provision was made for an archaeological inspectorate and Mr. H.C.P. Bell was appointed first Inspector.

During the years 1884*1886 Mr. S.M. Burrows (Ceylon Civil Service) was assigned the responsibility of supervising this work.

Sir. Arther Gorden then Governor of Ceylon directed Mr. H.C.P. Bell (Ceylon Civil Service) to commence operations of the Survey of the North Central Province. This was the official birthday of scientific Archaeology in Sri Lanka.

H.C.P. Bell began his work by dividing the Archaeological field into sections. But his main work dealt with exploration. The discovery of Wall paintingsat Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa took place in 1897. In 1895 a commission was appointed to consider the whole field of Archaeological activities. In 1899 a journal named Epigraphia Zeylanica was started. The first number (Vol. I Part I) of the Epigraphia Zeylanica was issued in 1904 in a neat and scholarly from Vol I Part II, III and IV was issued in 1907 and 1909 respectively.

Due to First World War the years 1914*1922 was undoubtedly a remains as the darkest period of the history of the Department of Archaeology in Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa formed the bases of archaeological operations. The work at the citadel at Anuradhapura continued. The collections were transferred to the Colombo Museum in 1928*1929.