 Ramaswami wrote in his 1993 book "Temples of South India" that evidence of 2000 years of civilization, 40 currently visible monuments, including two "open air bas-reliefs," and related legends spreading through both South Asia and Europe had caused people to build up Mahabalipuram's mystery in their minds (Ramaswami, 204).He writes explicitly that "There is no sunk city in the waves off Mamallapuram.The European name, ‘The Seven Pagodas,’ is irrational and cannot be accounted for" (Ramaswami, 206).