| Under the direction of Drs John M. Fritz and George Michell, authors of this web site, extensive documentation of the Vijayanagara site was carried out from 1980 through 2002. During this period much of the core area of Vijayanagara (more than 25 square km of ruins) was mapped in detail and more than 34,000 archaeological features were located and described. Some 1,000 structures, ranging from large-scale, comparatively well preserved temple complexes to dilapidated and collapsed structures, were measured and drawn. Photography played a large role in this documentation effort. So, too, did translations of texts in vernacular languages, which we believe will contribute to future interpretations of the archaeological record. Ethno-archaeological investigations by individual Project participants added a contemporary dimension to our fieldwork. These documentary techniques have helped us to understand a variety of archaeological features ranging from civic and religious structures to sculpture and even game boards. For more on this topic link to Fritz 2006, ''History of Documentation''.
The Government of India graciously permitted our work in the field and the Karnataka Department of Archaeology and Museums kindly acted as our Indian host and made its archaeological camp available to us. The American Institute of Indian Studies efficiently managed our Project. A number of organizations and individuals have supported Project research.
Our teams no longer carry out fieldwork, and we are now concerned to analyse and publish all of the data that were collected in the last decades. To date several monographs, reports and general works have appeared. (See Project Publications) Among the works currently under preparation are an Archaeological Atlas and a second monograph on the Great Platform.
Fieldwork by other international groups at the Vijayanagara site is still on-going. (See Associated Projects)
Finally, The British Library has graciously agreed to house many documents produced during our work, including, maps, drawings and photographs. These will join the Library’s important archive of southern Indian records held in its British Library Asia Pacific & Africa Collections. http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/ |
