Archaeologists unearth 160-year-old mystery structure at Jandial near Taxila
Archaeologists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have uncovered a previously unstudied ancient structure at Jandial, opposite the Ionic temple outside the fortified city of Sirkap near Taxila. The Jandial archaeological discovery ends more than 160 years of mystery around a site first noted by explorer Alexander Cunningham in 1864 but never excavated.
The structure, dubbed “Jandial D”, measures roughly 100 metres by 50 metres. Excavations that began in mid-August 2026 have revealed substantial walls, though researchers say it is too early to tell whether the building served a public or religious function. Its purpose remains under investigation.
Italian-Pakistani team behind the dig
The find was made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department under the Khyber PATH Project, directed by Italian archaeologist Dr Luca M. Olivieri of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and supervised by the province’s Director General of Archaeology and Museums, Dr Abdul Samad, with logistical support from the Italian NGO ISCOS.
Khyber PATH has been running for about a year across eight sites stretching from Swat to the Khanpur-Taxila region. Its other work includes the fortifications of Sirsukh and Bazira, also known as Barikot, which sits on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
Why the Jandial archaeological discovery matters
Jandial lies in the heart of the ancient Gandhara region, one of the richest archaeological zones in South Asia. The Sirkap site next door was a major fortified city of the Indo-Greek period, and the Ionic temple at Jandial is among its best-known monuments. A large, unexplored structure sitting directly opposite that temple has puzzled researchers since Cunningham’s survey of British India.
The discovery adds to a growing list of recent heritage finds in Pakistan and is expected to draw international scholarly attention to the Taxila valley. Further excavation seasons are planned as the team maps the full extent of the walls and searches for artefacts that could date the structure and explain its use.
Where is Jandial?
Jandial is in the Khanpur-Taxila region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, home to the ancient fortified city of Sirkap and the famous Ionic temple of Jandial from the Indo-Greek period.
Who discovered the ancient structure?
The KP Archaeology Department found it under the Khyber PATH Project, directed by Italian archaeologist Dr Luca M. Olivieri, funded by Italy’s development cooperation agency and supervised by Dr Abdul Samad.
What happens next at the site?
Researchers will map the full extent of the walls and look for artefacts that can date the structure. Its function, whether public or religious, is still under investigation.
Related: Kalash valleys face climate threat in Chitral
Related: Last ruler of Khairpur laid to rest
