Archaeologists working near the ancient city of Taxila in Pakistan have uncovered a monumental structure measuring nearly 100 meters in length and more than 50 meters in width. Its purpose remains unknown, but the discovery could shed new light on the ancient landscape surrounding one of South Asia’s most important archaeological centers.
The building, known as Jandial D, stands outside the walls of the ancient fortified city of Sirkap, directly opposite a famous temple distinguished by its Greek-style Ionic columns. Although British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham recorded the site in 1864, researchers had never systematically investigated the complex.
Excavations led by the Italian Archaeological Mission of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice began in mid-August 2026. According to the university’s announcement on October 13, the team has uncovered substantial walls surviving to a height of at least one meter, with some sections rising even higher.
Given its enormous size, archaeologists believe the building may have served a public or religious function, although its exact purpose and date remain uncertain.
A Monument Overlooked for More Than 160 Years
The newly investigated complex occupies a particularly interesting position in the ancient landscape. Jandial D lies along the route that once connected Sirkap’s northern gate with Gandhara, a region that became an important meeting point for different cultures and religious traditions.
Its considerable size suggests that the area beyond the fortifications was more than just open land surrounding the settlement, although the relationship between the monument and the activities taking place within the city remains unclear.
Luca Maria Olivieri, professor of Central Asian and Indian archaeology at Ca’ Foscari and director of the Italian Archaeological Mission, emphasized the importance of both the building’s dimensions and its setting.
“The discovery confirms the richness and unpredictability of the region’s archaeological heritage,” Olivieri said in the university announcement, adding that the structure’s monumental scale and strategic location raise new questions about ancient Sirkap and Gandhara.
For now, archaeologists have not established whether Jandial D functioned as a sanctuary, another type of public monument, or a building serving an entirely different purpose. Further excavations will be necessary to determine its chronology, architectural development, and relationship with nearby structures.
Across from a Temple with Greek Architectural Features
The Jandial temple, standing opposite the newly excavated monument, is one of Taxila’s most unusual ancient buildings. Its Ionic columns and architectural layout closely resemble those of Greek temples, features documented by John Marshall during his excavations in the early twentieth century.
Its plan includes an entrance porch, an inner sanctuary, and a rear chamber arranged in a manner reminiscent of Greek temples. These architectural details have made Jandial one of the most frequently discussed examples of Hellenistic influence in the region.
Taxila itself experienced centuries of cultural and political change. Persian, Greek, Central Asian, and South Asian traditions all contributed to its development, leaving behind a remarkably diverse archaeological landscape.
The fortified city of Sirkap, established around the second century BCE, is particularly notable for its planned street layout and monuments reflecting different architectural traditions. Nearby Buddhist monasteries and stupas illustrate the region’s later importance as a center of religious activity and learning.
According to UNESCO, which inscribed Taxila on the World Heritage List in 1980, the site’s successive settlements preserve an exceptional record of urban development in the Indian subcontinent.
The newly exposed complex at Jandial D is especially interesting due to its proximity to the Ionic temple. No proof exists at present that these two monuments shared contemporary origins or performed connected roles.
New Discoveries Beyond the Walls of Sirkap
The Jandial excavation forms part of Khyber PATH, an archaeological research and heritage conservation initiative involving eight sites between Taxila and the Swat Valley.
The project brings together Ca’ Foscari University and archaeological authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and support from ISCOS.
Other areas under investigation include Barikot, the ancient settlement of Bazira in the Swat Valley, and Sirsukh, another fortified city within the Taxila archaeological landscape. At Sirsukh, researchers are working to excavate, expose, and preserve sections of the ancient defensive walls.
The work at Jandial has also drawn attention to the remains of Kacha-Kot, an ancient rammed-earth fortification associated with Sirkap that survives opposite the newly investigated monument.
The discovery comes at a time when protecting Taxila’s archaeological heritage is becoming increasingly urgent. Urban expansion continues to threaten ancient remains, particularly in areas that have received less attention than the site’s famous monuments.
Although Jandial D was first recorded more than 160 years ago, its true scale is only now coming to light. The excavation highlights not only how much of Taxila remains unexplored, but also the importance of protecting these sites before further development puts them at risk.
