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.

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

The monument, identified as Jandial D, lies opposite the famous Ionic temple of Jandial, outside the ancient fortified city of Sirkap. First noted by Alexander Cunningham in 1864, the structure remained largely unexplored for more than a century.

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

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

Italian NGO ISCOS provided logistical and financial support for the 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.

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

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

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

The Khyber PATH project has been ongoing for a year at eight archaeological sites across KP from Swat to the Khanpur–Taxila region. Its work includes the excavation and conservation of ancient fortifications at Sirsukh and research at Bazira/Barikot, which is on UNESCO’s Tentative List.