ABOUT PROJECT SKaAT
Project SKaAT (Showcasing Karnataka’s Ancient Treasures) is a group formed to execute the initiative of the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Government of Karnataka, dedicated to documenting and presenting the state’s prehistoric legacy. For the first time, Karnataka’s ancient monuments and remains — from rock art and ash mounds to stone tools, dolmens, and cultural landscapes — are being mapped and visually chronicled across all four regions of the state.
Driven by a creative team of photographers, researchers, and designers, and guided by eminent historians and consultants, SKaAT blends scholarly knowledge with visual storytelling to bring this hidden heritage alive. With the generous support of the Government of Karnataka, the project has culminated in a first-of-its-kind coffee table book and photographic archive, turning thousands of years of history into an engaging visual journey.
ARTICLES
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In 2024, during a walk along the coast of Kumta, Dinesh Maneer noticed something unusual. Etched into the rock surface were markings that did not appear natural. At first, it was simply an observation —...
Hidden quietly along the banks of the Tungabhadra lies something even older than the temples themselves. A couple of kilometres beyond Virupaksha, near the river’s edge, is Baramadevara Gundu — a rock shelter home to...
Finding a rock painting is rarely straightforward. During our documentation work in Badami, we set out to record the well-known wild boar painting. But in a landscape made up entirely of rock shelters and painted...
At first glance, this might look like any other weathered boulder resting in the landscape, but ancient civilizations had an extraordinary way of turning the simplest elements of nature into something profound. Discovered in Pavagada,...
High up in the dramatic landscapes of Hutridurga, a silent assembly of ancient stone circles stands watch over the plains. Dating back to Karnataka's Megalithic Age, these meticulous structures were raised thousands of years ago,...
Hidden deep within the rugged, sun-drenched landscapes of Karnataka, the ancient petroglyphs of Sanganakallu whisper tales from a time long before the dawn of written history. Carved meticulously onto granite boulders by South India's earliest...
GALLERY
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Supporting Partners
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Project SKaAT is the brainchild of Dinesh Maneer, envisioned when the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Government of Karnataka, entrusted him with the task of documenting the state’s prehistoric sites. What began as an assignment soon evolved into a collaborative initiative, bringing together photographers, researchers, designers, and consultants to create a first-of-its-kind visual journey into Karnataka’s ancient past. Guided by the Department’s support and expertise, Project SKaAT aims not only to record these sites but also to present them in a way that builds awareness, inspires pride, and encourages preservation of this invaluable heritage.
Meet the core team
A passionate team of curators, photographers, researchers, and designers bringing Karnataka’s ancient treasures to light.
Dinesh Maneer, an Explorer-photographer, is leading Project SKaAT with a vision to bring Karnataka’s prehistoric heritage into focus through art and imagery. Entrusted by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Government of Karnataka, he is travelling across the state with his team, trekking through hills, forests, and remote villages to document ancient rock art, megaliths, and cultural landscapes. His approach combines research, photography, and storytelling to present prehistory in a way that is both scholarly and visually engaging, making it accessible to a wider audience while inspiring awareness and preservation.
Dinesh Maneer, a versatile individual hailing from Bengaluru, India, excels both as a photographer and as a businessman. His passion lies in capturing the essence of Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage through his lens. His diverse portfolio predominantly features captivating landscapes, compelling portraits, and narratives deeply entrenched in the soul of his homeland.
His photography has earned accolades through numerous group exhibitions and prestigious features in international publications like National Geographic, CNN, Open Magazine, National Geographic India traveler as well as various online magazines and leading national and local newspapers. Moreover, Dinesh actively contributes to Kannada-language publications with his writings.
News
Bengaluru, 31st August,2025 Captivating photo exhibition on the 3,000-year-old prehistoric landscape of Hirebenakal is now on display at the Venkatappa Art Gallery. The exhibition presents...
Bengaluru, August 20, 2025 — Karnataka’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated a landmark photo exhibition that brings to light the prehistoric landscapes of Hirebenakal, a...
Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Tourism announced that an photography exhibition will take place on Hirebenakal in Bengaluru on August...
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