During the ongoing restoration of a 12th-century Shiva temple in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district, archaeologists have unearthed a set of foundation stones bearing Brahmi-style inscriptions and unique geometric markings. The restoration project, aimed at stabilizing the leaning sanctum, revealed that the Kalyani Chalukya architects used these inscribed blocks as a spiritual and structural blueprint for the temple's star-shaped base.
Experts suggest that these inscriptions detail the specific measurements and astrological alignments required for the temple's shikhara. This discovery is particularly significant as it provides rare primary evidence of the 'shilpa shastra' (architectural science) manuals being applied directly onto the stone during the initial construction phase, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated engineering of the medieval Deccan.