A previously unexplored monument measuring nearly 100 metres long and 50 metres wide has emerged at Jandial in Pakistan’s Khanpur–Taxila region. Excavations begun in August 2026 have exposed substantial walls opposite the famous Ionic temple of Jandial, outside the ancient fortified city of Sirkap. Its original function remains unknown.
The Discovery
Archaeologists working in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have uncovered a monumental structure at Jandial, near Taxila, that could change how researchers understand the ancient landscape of Gandhara.
Named Jandial D, the structure measures approximately 100 metres in length and 50 metres in width. It stands opposite the well-known Ionic temple of Jandial, outside the fortified ancient city of Sirkap.
Although the monument was first noted by British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham in 1864, it remained largely unexplored for more than a century.
Systematic excavation began in mid-August 2026, when archaeologists identified substantial walls belonging to the structure.
The discovery has opened new avenues for investigating the history and urban organisation of Gandhara, according to a statement issued by the provincial authorities.
However, the monument’s original purpose has not yet been established. Researchers are investigating whether it served a public or religious function.
What Archaeologists Found
The principal discovery is the large architectural footprint of Jandial D, measuring nearly 100 metres by 50 metres.
Excavations have exposed substantial walls, confirming the presence of a significant built structure rather than an isolated architectural feature.
Its scale distinguishes it within the immediate archaeological landscape, while its position opposite the Ionic temple gives researchers an important spatial relationship to investigate.
The monument lies outside the ancient fortified city of Sirkap, placing it within the wider archaeological setting of the Khanpur–Taxila region.
At present, the available excavation findings do not establish the building’s precise layout, internal arrangement or original use.
The question of whether Jandial D was a public monument or a religious structure remains open, and further archaeological work will be necessary before researchers can determine its role.
Historical Background
Jandial lies within the wider Taxila region, an area renowned for archaeological remains associated with the ancient cultural landscape of Gandhara.
The fortified city of Sirkap forms a major part of this landscape, alongside other archaeological sites that collectively preserve evidence of settlement, architecture and cultural interaction across different historical periods.
The famous Ionic temple at Jandial is another prominent feature of the area. The newly investigated monument stands opposite it, providing an opportunity to study the relationship between major structures beyond Sirkap’s fortified boundaries.
Alexander Cunningham first noted the monument in 1864, but it remained largely unexplored for generations.
Its renewed investigation illustrates how structures identified during early archaeological surveys can remain important research targets long after their initial documentation.
Rather than treating Jandial D as an isolated discovery, archaeologists can examine it within the broader urban and architectural landscape of Gandhara.
Scientific Analysis
The current excavation has established the monument’s approximate dimensions and exposed substantial sections of its walls.
However, its precise function remains undetermined.
Researchers are considering whether the building served a public or religious purpose, but the information released so far does not identify diagnostic artefacts, inscriptions or architectural features that would settle the question.
Its monumental dimensions and location opposite the Ionic temple are important observations, but neither feature alone proves the building’s function.
The investigation is being conducted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department under the Khyber PATH Project.
The project is directed by Italian archaeologist Dr Luca M. Olivieri and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
Implementation is led by the Italian Archaeological Mission of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, working with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums. The provincial programme is supervised by Director General Dr Abdul Samad.
Italian non-governmental organisation ISCOS has also provided logistical and financial support.
Why This Discovery Matters
Jandial D could become an important piece of evidence for understanding how the ancient landscape around Sirkap was organised.
Its considerable size raises questions about the activities that took place within the building and the community or institution responsible for constructing it.
Its position outside Sirkap’s fortified city is equally significant as a subject for investigation. Researchers now have an opportunity to explore how this monument related to the nearby Ionic temple and the wider settlement landscape.
The discovery also highlights the continuing archaeological potential of the Khanpur–Taxila region.
As Dr Abdul Samad has emphasised, the find demonstrates the importance of scientific research, international collaboration and the protection of archaeological remains threatened by expanding urbanisation.
Could Jandial D reveal that the area outside Sirkap contained a more extensive architectural complex than researchers previously understood?
That possibility remains a research question rather than a confirmed conclusion, but the newly exposed walls provide a foundation for further investigation.
What’s Next?
Excavation and research at Jandial D form part of the wider Khyber PATH Project, which has been operating for a year at eight sites across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from Swat to the Khanpur–Taxila region.
The project combines archaeological excavation, investigation and conservation at several locations.
Its work includes excavation and conservation of ancient fortifications at Sirsukh, alongside research at Bazira/Barikot, a site included on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
At Jandial, further investigation will be needed to clarify the monument’s architectural plan and determine whether it served a public, religious or another function.
Continued work may also establish more clearly how the structure related to the Ionic temple and the ancient city of Sirkap.
Protecting the site from the effects of urban expansion remains another priority identified by provincial archaeology officials.
Conclusion
The discovery of Jandial D has brought a monumental structure measuring approximately 100 metres by 50 metres into renewed archaeological focus.
First noted by Alexander Cunningham in 1864, the monument remained largely unexplored until systematic excavation began in August 2026. The work has now exposed substantial walls at a location opposite the Ionic temple of Jandial and outside the fortified city of Sirkap.
Its original purpose remains uncertain, but the structure offers a new opportunity to investigate Gandhara’s ancient architectural and urban landscape.
As excavation continues, the central challenge will be to determine what the monument was built for and how it fitted into the wider settlement around Taxila.
FAQ
Where was the ancient structure discovered?
The monument was discovered at Jandial in the Khanpur–Taxila region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, opposite the Ionic temple of Jandial and outside ancient Sirkap.
How large is Jandial D?
The structure measures approximately 100 metres long and 50 metres wide, according to the reported discovery.
What was the monument used for?
Its original function remains unknown. Archaeologists are investigating whether it served a public or religious purpose.
Which archaeological project is investigating the site?
The excavation is being carried out by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department under the Khyber PATH Project, directed by Dr Luca M. Olivieri and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
