Victoria Lautman, India's Stepwells

Stepwells have been built in India's dry regions, especially Rajasthan and Gujarat, for nearly two thousand years. They allow people to reach a water table that can be as much as 100 feet (30 m) under ground. They have a fascinating "reverse architecture," since they were built down rather than up. Chicago-based journalist Victoria Lautman spent a year traveling around India document the wells, many of which have been abandoned with the arrival of modern well drilling. More here.