Under the direction of Drs John M. Fritz and George Michell, authors of this web site, extensive documentation of the Vijayanagara site was carried out from 1980 through 2001. During this period much of the core area of Vijayanagara (more than 25 square km of ruins) was mapped in detail and more than 30,000 archaeological features were located and described. Some 1,000 structures, ranging from large-scale, comparatively well preserved temple complexes to dilapidated and collapsed structures, were measured and drawn up. Photography played a large role in this documentation effort. So, too, did translations of texts in vernacular languages, which we believe will contribute to future interpretations of the archaeological record. Ethno-archaeological investigations by individual Project participants added a contemporary dimension to our fieldwork. These documentary techniques have helped us to understand a variety of archaeological features ranging from civic and religious structures to sculpture and even game boards

The Government of India graciously permitted our work in the field and the Karnataka Department of Archaeology and Museums kindly make its archaeological camp available to us. A number of agencies and individuals have supported Project research.

Our teams no longer carry out fieldwork, and we are now concerned to analyze and bring out all of the data that was collected in the last decades. To date several monographs, reports and general works have appeared. (See Project Publications) Among the works currently under preparation are an Archaeological Atlas and a monograph on the Great Platform.

Fieldwork by other international groups at the Vijayanagara site is still ongoing. (See Associated Projects)