A breakthrough research project led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has utilized advanced AI models to decipher previously unread 8th-century Tigalari script manuscripts discovered in the temple vaults of coastal Karnataka. The texts contain detailed mathematical proofs and architectural diagrams for 'Vajra-Lepa'—a biological-mineral cement used to create earthquake-resistant foundations for monumental stone structures.
The manuscripts describe a system of interlocking granite layers and lead-based dampeners that allowed ancient temples to withstand seismic shifts. Engineers believe these techniques were applied in the construction of major shrines along the Konkan coast, explaining their survival through centuries of tectonic activity. The study bridges the gap between ancient Shilpa Shastra wisdom and modern structural engineering.