This is a glimpse into what fieldwork looks like before the final photographs ever come together.

At Yellammana Kolla, tucked within the rugged hill ranges of Salwadagi in the Vijayapura district, our days often begin with questions rather than answers. These landscapes have long acted as a magnet for archaeologists. From the pioneering work of Dr. A. Sundara and Dr. K. Paddayya to modern scholars, research has consistently shown how crucial this region is to understanding human evolution in India, spanning the vast timeline from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic.

The Discovery

While exploring the area for prehistoric traces, the local landscape began to speak—aided by clues shared by the villagers. Following their leads, we stumbled upon something unexpected: newly identified rock art, petroglyphs, cupmarks, and faint traces of rock paintings. These ancient marks have quietly held their ground for millennia, surviving the elements to tell their story.

To ensure their preservation and scientific study, these findings have since been documented and reported to the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage.

The Process

Alongside the rigorous research, we made it a point to slow down and create photographs. There is a specific rhythm to this: watching the light shift across the sandstone, framing the vastness of the land, and letting time do its work. It was one of those rare, perfect days where the discipline of documentation and the intuition of photography moved together naturally.