Periyapatna: A  20-ft deep tunnel-like well has been found near Tavarekere on Bettadapura-Kushalnagar road in the taluk on Monday.

A trench was being dug using an earth mover to lay cable for a Telecom company when the vehicle operator noticed the deep well. He immediately informed the Tahsildar and Police.

The officials arrived at the spot and sought expert opinion from the Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums.

The department officials examined the well and assured the villagers that measures would be taken to protect the well for further investigation.

In the proximity of the deep well is the Basaveshwara temple with several ancient inscriptions which indicate that the tunnel-like well could belong to the Changalva’s period. Several rulers of ancient period were said to have had the village as their capital. Archaeology Department Deputy Director Gavi Siddaiah, In-charge Tahsildar Prakash, Deputy Tahsildar Kuber, Circle Inspector Pradeep and others visited the spot.