Banbhore, a Major Trade Centre on the Indus’ Delta: Notes on the Pakistani-Italian Excavations and Research

The joint Pakistani-Italian-French Historical-Archaeological Mission at Banbhore started in 2010. Among the aims of the project is to verify the historical identity of the site as Debol/Daybul, the ancient harbour town located on the Indus delta that was one of the main hubs for land and maritime trade in the Indian Ocean. Banbhore had a long period of occupation (2nd–13th centuries CE). It was a fortified citadel, surrounded by ‘industrial’ and residential areas to the north and east. The excavations of the Pakistani-Italian team have brought to light a dense grid of buildings of the Islamic period and have provided insights into the Sasanian phases. The findings testify to the role of Banbhore both as a production centre and a trade harbour, connected with many different Asian lands, from Iraq to the Far East.