Source: TH
Subject: Mapping
Context: Recent excavations at Lakkundi in Karnataka have unearthed Neolithic-era artefacts, strengthening the State’s push to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.
About Lakkundi Excavation:
What it is?
- An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)–supervised excavation at the Kote Veerabhadreshwar (Veerabhadraswamy) Temple, aimed at uncovering buried structures and cultural layers to support heritage conservation and UNESCO nomination.
Located in:
- Lakkundi village, Gadag district, Karnataka, about 12 km from Gadag town; historically known as Lokkigundi.
History of the place:
- A major economic, religious and cultural centre from the 10th–13th centuries.
- Flourished under the Kalyana Chalukyas and later the Hoysalas; famous as the “village of a hundred wells and temples”.
- Associated with Queen Attimabbe (11th century), noted Jain patron and philanthropist.
- Home to Hindu temples, Jain basadis, stepwells, and later even a Muslim dargah, reflecting religious pluralism.
- Known for the “Lakkundi school” of Chalukyan temple architecture.
Discoveries made at Lakkundi:
- Neolithic artefacts: broken grey clay pot, stone axe, cowrie shells, cross-shaped pedestal.
- Early historic–medieval finds: stone pedestal carved with a Jina figure, inscriptions, buried temple remains.
- Confirms continuous human occupation from prehistoric to early medieval periods.
Significance:
- Pushes Lakkundi’s history far beyond the medieval period, adding prehistoric depth to its heritage value.
- Strengthens Karnataka’s case for UNESCO World Heritage nomination of a group of monuments at Lakkundi.
