Excavation at Ancient Mansura (Birhamanabad) Site to Resume in Early 2027
SANGHAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2026) Excavation and archaeological research at the ancient Mansura-Brahmanabad site in Sindh are set to resume in early 2027 under a joint initiative of the Sindh Archaeology and Antiquities Department and an Italian archaeological mission. Efforts are also underway to seek World Heritage status for the historic site.
Joint Project Details:
Head of the Sindh archaeology department’s excavation team, Zahida Qadri, and Italian mission archaeologist, Dr Alessandro Tilia, shared details with the media. They stated that a long-term research project will focus on:
- History
- Cultural phases
- Urban structure
- Archaeological layers of the ancient city
This project is supervised by Prof Dr Luca Maria Olivieri of the Italian Institute for Middle and Far East (IsMEO).
Dr Tilia emphasized Mansura's significance as an important archaeological site not only in Sindh but across the region. He explained that the project aims to scientifically understand different periods of the ancient city, its urban development, and cultural continuity, while also preserving the remains.
Protecting the Site:
He stressed the need for cooperation from the local administration and communities to protect the site. Activities like road construction, agricultural practices, encroachments, and livestock movement around the archaeological site can damage remains and hinder long-term research.
Dr Tilia appealed to the local administration and residents to treat the protection of Mansura as a collective responsibility, avoiding actions that could affect its archaeological value. The Italian mission will collaborate with the Sindh Archaeology and Antiquities Department on research, documentation, and conservation efforts.
Local Context:
Ms Qadri noted that the Italian archaeological mission has been working at Bhambore for nearly 15 years and is now expanding to Mansura. Initial surveys and mapping have identified agricultural activity, roads, and other human interventions within the site.
She highlighted that detailed mapping and studying archaeological layers will be crucial aspects of the project, aiding in understanding different settlements and cultural remains beneath the ancient city. She cited Bhambore as an example where district administration cooperation had facilitated research and protected the site from damage.
Hopeful for similar support, Ms Qadri expressed her trust in the district administration, local government, union council, and residents to contribute to the success of the Mansura project.
Spanning approximately 500 acres, the Mansura archaeological site holds remains of an ancient fortification believed to have extended for about seven kilometers.