Tombstone of Bras Munes is a Portuguese tombstone which is now on display in the National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was discovered in the late 19th century, in the neighbourhood of the site of Battenberg battery in the Colombo Fort (Lewis, 1913).
The tombstone contains an inscription of 8 lines and a broken figure above it. The figure depicts a left hand holding a bird tied with a chain.
Date: 19 March 1624
Text : Pater Noster Ave Maria Pola alma de Bras Munes que faleceo em 19 de Marco de 1624 esta he sua sepultura e de seus herdeiros
Translation: A paternoster (The Lord's Prayer), Ave Maria, for the soul of Brass Moniz, who died on the 19th of March 1624. This is his tomb and that of his heirs.
Reference: Lewis, 1905, National Museum of Colombo.
The inscription is said to have begun in the same way as that on the Mannar tomb of the wife of Joao de Mello Sampayo (Lewis. 1905).
References
1) Lewis, J. P., 1905. Portuguese inscription in Ceylon: Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic Society [(Vol. XVIII) 1903-1905]. Colombo - 1906. p. 360.
2) Lewis, J. P., 1913. List of inscriptions on tombstones and monuments in Ceylon, of historical or local interest with an obituary of persons uncommemorated: Colombo. p. 143.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 4 December 2023
