The Aporia · Archaeologists discover ancient structure at Jandial in KP near Sirkap

Archaeologists have uncovered a large ancient structure, measuring nearly 100 metres by 50 metres, near Sirkap in Jandial, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The KP Archaeology Department, under the Khyber PATH Project and with Italian support, made this discovery which dates back to when Alexander Cunningham first noted it in 1864 but remained largely unstudied until now. Excavations beginning in August 2026 revealed substantial walls of Jandial D, a monument whose exact purpose is still being investigated. The project emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and protection of historical sites threatened by urban expansion.

Written by AI on 2026-10-09, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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Archaeologists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khanpur-Taxila region have uncovered an ancient structure at Jandial, measuring nearly 100 metres long and 50 metres wide, which has been largely unstudied since it was first noted by Alexander Cunningham in 1864. The discovery of this monument, designated as Jandial D, lies opposite the famous Ionic temple of Jandial outside the ancient city of Sirkap. Excavations began in mid-August 2026 and revealed substantial walls; however, its specific purpose remains undetermined.

The project is led by the KP Archaeology Department under the Khyber PATH Project, directed by Italian archaeologist Dr Luca M. Olivieri and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). It involves collaboration between the Italian Archaeological Mission of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the KP Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums. Dr Abdul Samad, Director General of Archaeology and Museums in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasized the discovery's significance for understanding Gandhara’s history and highlighted the need to protect archaeological sites threatened by urban expansion.

Written for “Ancient Structure Discovery Pakistan” on 2026-10-30, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Ancient Structure Discovery Pakistan

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A previously unstudied, ancient structure measuring nearly 100 metres long and 50 metres wide has been discovered at Jandial in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khanpur-Taxila region. asserted

structure → measure → region

The discovery has opened “new avenues for understanding the history and urban landscape of Gandhara”, a press release said on Friday. asserted

release → open → Friday

The monument, identified as Jandial D, lies opposite the famous Ionic temple of Jandial, outside the ancient fortified city of Sirkap. asserted

monument → identify → Sirkap

First noted by Alexander Cunningham in 1864, the structure remained largely unexplored for more than a century. asserted

structure → note → century

Excavations that began in mid-August 2026 revealed substantial walls, while the monument’s precise function — whether public or religious — remains under investigation. asserted

function → begin → investigation

The discovery was made by the KP Archaeology Department under the Khyber PATH Project, directed by Italian archaeologist Dr Luca M. Olivieri and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). asserted

discovery → make → Cooperation

The project is being implemented by the Italian Archaeological Mission of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in collaboration with the KP Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums. asserted

project → implement → Archaeology

It is supervised by KP Director General of Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad. asserted

It → supervise → Samad

Italian NGO ISCOS provided logistical and financial support for the project. asserted

NGO → provide → project

Dr Abdul Samad said the discovery highlighted the archaeological potential of the Khanpur–Taxila region and the importance of continued scientific research and international collaboration, stressing the need to protect archaeological remains threatened by expanding urbanisation. He said, “The discovery at Jandial demonstrates that the archaeological landscape of KP continues to hold important historical secrets. asserted

landscape → say → secrets

“Our priority is to support scientific research, strengthen international partnerships and protect these irreplaceable heritage assets.” asserted

priority → support → assets

Khyber Path Director Dr Olivieri said the discovery demonstrated the “richness and unpredictability of the region’s archaeological landscape”. asserted

discovery → say → landscape

“Its monumental scale and strategic location raise important new questions about the ancient landscape of Sirkap and the wider Gandharan region.” asserted

scale → raise → Sirkap

Its work includes the excavation and conservation of ancient fortifications at Sirsukh and research at Bazira/Barikot, which is on UNESCO’s Tentative List. asserted

which → include → List

Archaeologists discover ancient structure at Jandial in KP near Sirkap

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