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The earliest Buddhist shrine: excavating the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini (Nepal)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2013

R.A.E. Coningham ,
K.P. Acharya ,
K.M. Strickland ,
C.E. Davis ,
M.J. Manuel ,
I.A. Simpson ,
K. Gilliland ,
J. Tremblay ,
T.C. Kinnaird  and
D.C.W. Sanderson
R.A.E. Coningham
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
K.P. Acharya
Affiliation:
2Pashupati Area Development Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal
K.M. Strickland
Affiliation:
3Orkney College, University of the Highlands and Islands, East Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1LX, UK
C.E. Davis
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
M.J. Manuel
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
I.A. Simpson
Affiliation:
4School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
K. Gilliland
Affiliation:
4School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
J. Tremblay
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
T.C. Kinnaird
Affiliation:
5Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 OQF, UK
D.C.W. Sanderson
Affiliation:
5Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 OQF, UK
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Abstract

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Key locations identified with the lives of important religious founders have often been extensively remodelled in later periods, entraining the destruction of many of the earlier remains. Recent UNESCO-sponsored work at the major Buddhist centre of Lumbini in Nepal has sought to overcome these limitations, providing direct archaeological evidence of the nature of an early Buddhist shrine and a secure chronology. The excavations revealed a sequence of early structures preceding the major rebuilding by Asoka during the third century BC. The sequence of durable brick architecture supplanting non-durable timber was foreseen by British prehistorian Stuart Piggott when he was stationed in India over 70 years ago. Lumbini provides a rare and valuable insight into the structure and character of the earliest Buddhist shrines.

Keywords

NepalLumbinifirst millennium BCBuddhaAsokaMauryan Horizonshrinetemple
Type
Research articles
Information
Antiquity , Volume 87 , Issue 338 , December 2013 , pp. 1104 - 1123
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2013

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