An archaeological dig at the birthplace of Buddha has revealed that he was born in the 6th century BCE, a hundred years earlier than previously thought.
Professor Robin Coningham, of Durham University, led a team of 15 British historians and archaeologists in excavating an ancient shrine at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, Nepal. The Unesco world heritage site has long been identified as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as Buddha, and is the location of earliest shrine to his teachings, dated to more that than 2.5 millennia.
As well as more accurately dating the birth of Buddha, the researchers also believe that they may have found Buddha’s birthplace, with the Maya Devi Temple being constructed around a tree. Buddha’s mother, Queen Maya Devi, is believed to have given birth to him whilst holding the brand of a tree in the Lumbini garden, which was located halfway between her husband’s and parents’ kingdoms.
