The site is well-known for archaeological excavations led by Herbert Härtel in 1969-70.[2] Numerous artefacts recovered from Sonkh are visible in the Mathura Museum.[3] Stratigraphical analysis at Sonkh and other sites has shown that the area of Mathura was almost undeveloped and Mathura was mostly a hamlet before the Mauyra era.[4]
Coins of the Mitra dynasty were found in Sonkh, corresponding to layers dated to about 150-50 BCE, at a time when the Indo-Greeks ruled over the region.[5] The earliest Mitra coins are those of Gomitra (150-50 BCE).[5]