Exhibition & Presentation on 10 Years. French archaeological excavation in Indus Basin | Chanhu Daro

An Exhibition and Presentation marking 10 Years of the French Archaeological Mission in the Indus Basin was inaugurated today at Alliance Française de Karachi, celebrating a decade of collaborative archaeological research and fieldwork in Pakistan.

The event highlighted the successful completion of recent excavation seasons at the Indus Civilization site of Chanhu-Daro, Nawabshah, and showcased the mission’s major academic contributions, discoveries, and research methodologies over the past ten years.

During the ceremony, Mr. David Sarmiento-Castillo presented a comprehensive report on behalf of the mission to the Director General of Antiquities & Archaeology, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department (CTA&AD), Government of Sindh. The presentation covered excavation results, interdisciplinary research, heritage documentation, and future research directions in the Indus Basin.

The event was honored by the presence of the Consulate General of France, which formally appreciated the dedication and scholarly achievements of the Mission Directors:

Dr. Aurore Didier

Mr. David Sarmiento-Castillo (Co-Director, France)

Special recognition was also given to the Pakistani team, led by:

Field Director: Mr. Ali Lashari,
along with his dedicated team members:

Danish A. Sheikh

Syed Faraz Ali

Zahid Detho

The exhibition displayed visual documentation, excavation records, research materials, and interpretive panels reflecting the mission’s long-term engagement with Indus archaeology, landscape studies, and cultural heritage preservation.

This milestone event marked a significant moment of academic collaboration between France and Pakistan, reinforcing shared commitments to archaeological research, cultural exchange, and the protection of South Asia’s ancient heritage. It was a great honor for both the French and Pakistani teams to celebrate the successful completion of excavation work at Chanhu-Daro, one of the most important urban centers of the Indus Civilization.