Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T13:09:48.143Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

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

References

Allchin, F.R. 1995. Mauryan architecture and art, in Allchin, F.R. (ed.) The archaeology of Early Historic South Asia: the emergence of cities and states:222-73. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Bandaranayake, S.D. 1974. Sinhalese monastic architecture: the Viharas of Anuradhapura. Leiden: E.J. Brill.Google Scholar
Beal, S. 1869. Travels of Fah-Hian and Sung-Yun. London: Trubner & Co.Google Scholar
Bechert, H. 1995. Introductory essay: the dates of the historical Buddha—a controversial issue, in Bechert, H. (ed.) When did the Buddha live? The controversy on the dating of the historical Buddha:11–36. Delhi: Sri Satguru.Google Scholar
Bidari, B. 2002. Lumbini: a haven of sacred refuge. Kathmandu: Bidari.Google Scholar
Bopearachchi, O. 2006. Coins, in Coningham, R.A.E. (ed.) Anuradhapura: the British-Sri Lankan excavations at Anuradhapura Salgahawatta 2, Vol. 2: the artefacts (British Archaeological Reports international series 1508):7–26. Oxford: Archaeopress.Google Scholar
Bopearachchi, O. & Pieper, W.. 1998. Ancient Indian coins. Turnhout: Brepols.Google Scholar
Bronk Ramsey, C. 1995. Radiocarbon calibration and analysis of stratigraphy: the OxCal program. Radiocarbon 37:425-30.Google Scholar
Bronk Ramsey, C. 2001. Development of the radiocarbon program OxCal. Radiocarbon 43:355-63.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 1998. Buddhism rematerialised and the archaeology of the Gautama Buddha. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 8:121-26.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 1999. Anuradhapura, volume I: the site. Oxford: Archaeopress.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 2001. The archaeology of Buddhism, in Insoll, T. (ed.) Archaeology and world religion:61–95. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 2005. South Asia: from early villages to Buddhism, in Scarre, C. (ed.) The human past: world prehistory and the development of human societies:518-51. London: Thames & Hudson.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 2006 (ed.). Anuradhapura: the British-Sri Lankan excavations at Anuradhapura Salgahawatta 2, Vol. 2: the artefacts (British Archaeological Reports international series 1508). Oxford: Archaeopress.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 2011. The archaeology of Buddhism, in Insoll, T. (ed.) The Oxford handbook of the archaeology of ritual and religion:932-45. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. & Acharya, K.P.. 2011. Identifying, evaluating and interpreting the physical signature of Lumbini for presentation, management and long-term protection: report of season one of activity 2. Report prepared for UNESCO, Kathmandu.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. 2012. Identifying, evaluating and interpreting the physical signature of Lumbini for presentation, management and long-term protection: report of season two of activity 2. Report prepared for UNESCO, Kathmandu.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E. & Milou, J.-F.. 2001. Reactive monitoring mission to Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha: report and recommendations of a UNESCO mission to Nepal. Kathmandu: UNESCO Kathmandu.Google Scholar
Coningham, R.A.E., Schmidt, A.R. & Strickland, K.M.. 2011. A cultural and environmental monitoring of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, Nepal. Ancient Nepal 176:1–8.Google Scholar
Coomaraswamy, A.K. 1930. Early Indian architecture: II. Bodhigaras. Eastern Art 2:225-35.Google Scholar
Cort, J.E. 2010. World renouncing monks and world celebrating temples and icons in Jainism, in Ray, H.P. (ed.) Archaeology and text: the temple in South Asia:268-95. Delhi: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Cunningham, A. 1879. The st^upa of Bharhut. London: W.H. Allen & Co.Google Scholar
Cunningham, A. 1891. Coins of ancient India from the earliest times to the seventh century. London: Quartich.Google Scholar
Dehejia, V. 1997. Discourses in early Buddhist art: visual narratives of India. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.Google Scholar
Deo, S.B. & Joshi, J.P.. 1972. Pauni excavation (1969-1970). Nagpur: Nagpur University.Google Scholar
Dittmann, R. 1984. Problems in the identification of an Achaemenid and Mauryan Horizon. Archaeologische Mitteilungen aus Iran 17:73–102.Google Scholar
Falk, H. 2006. Asokan sites and artefacts: a source book with bibliography. Mainz: Philipp von Zabern.Google Scholar
Geiger, W. 1929. The Mahavamsa. Colombo: Ceylon Government Information Department.Google Scholar
Hartel, H. 1995. Archaeological research on ancient Buddhist sites, in Bechert, H. (ed.) When did the Buddha live? The controversy on the dating of the historical Buddha:141-60. Delhi: Sri Satguru.Google Scholar
Harvey, , 1984. The symbolism of the early stupa. The Journal of International Association of Buddhist Studies 7(2):67–93.Google Scholar
Insoll, T. (ed.). 2001. Archaeology and world religion. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Insoll, T. (ed.). 2011. The Oxford handbook of ritual and religion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Irwin, J.C. 1973. ‘Asokan’ pillars: a reassessment of the evidence. The Burlington Magazine 115:706-20.Google Scholar
Irwin, J.C. 1976. ‘Asokan’ pillars: a reassessment of the evidence, IV: symbolism. The Burlington Magazine 118:734-53.Google Scholar
Irwin, J.C. 1979. The stupa and the cosmic axis: the archaeological evidence, in Taddei, M. (ed.) South Asian archaeology 1977:799–846. Naples: Istituto Universitario Orientale.Google Scholar
Irwin, J.C. 1982. The sacred anthill and the cult of the primordial mound. History of Religions 21:339-60.Google Scholar
Irwin, J.C. 1983. The ancient pillar-cult at Prayaga (Allahabad): its pre-Asokan origins. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2:253-80.Google Scholar
Knox, R. 1681. An historical relation of the island Ceylon, in the East Indies. London: Richard Chiswel L. Marcus.Google Scholar
Fernando, W.N. 1965. Ancient city of Anuradhapura. Colombo: Department of Archaeology.Google Scholar
Mitra, D. 1971. Buddhist monuments. Calcutta: Samsad.Google Scholar
Mitra, D. 1972. Excavations at Tilaura-kot and Kodan and the explorations in the Nepalese Tarai. Calcutta: His Majesty's Government of Nepal.Google Scholar
Mukherji, P.C. 1901. A report on a tour of exploration of the antiquities of Kapilavastu Tarai of Nepal during February and March 1899. Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India.Google Scholar
Nugteren, A. 2005. Belief, bounty, and beauty: rituals around sacred trees in India. Leiden: Brill.Google Scholar
Paranavitana, S. 1946. The stupa in Ceylon (Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon 5). Colombo: Ceylon Government Press.Google Scholar
Pieper, J. 1991. Arboreal art and architecture in India, in Vatsyayan, K. (ed.) Concepts of space: ancient and modern:333-41. New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.Google Scholar
Piggott, S. 1943. The earliest Buddhist shrines. Antiquity 17:1–10.Google Scholar
Piggott, S. 1944. Nomad house-sites in the western Himalayas. Man 44:150-52.Google Scholar
Piggott, S. 1945. Some ancient cities of India. London: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Piggott, S. 1947. A new prehistoric ceramic from Baluchistan. Ancient India 3:131-42.Google Scholar
Piggott, S. 1950. Prehistoric India to 1000 BC. Harmondsworth: Penguin.Google Scholar
Rijal, K. 1979. Archaeological remains of Kapilvastu, Lumbini and Devadaha. Kathmandu: Educational Enterprises.Google Scholar
Sahni, R. 1937. Archaeological remains and excavations at Bairat. Jaipur: Jaipur State Department of Archaeology and Historical Research.Google Scholar
Schopen, G. 1997. Bones, stones, and Buddhist monks: collected papers on the archaeology, epigraphy, and texts of monastic Buddhism in India. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.Google Scholar
Singh, P. 1994. Excavations at Narhan (1984-1989). Delhi: BR.Google Scholar
Smith, M. 2005. Networks, territories and the cartography of ancient states. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 95:832-49.Google Scholar
Trautmann, T.R. & Sinopoli, C.M.. 2002. In the beginning was the word: excavating the relations between history and archaeology in South Asia. Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 45:492–523.Google Scholar
Uesaka, S. 2001. Archaeological research at Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini. Tokyo: Japan Buddhist Federation.Google Scholar
Verardi, G. 2007. Excavations at Gotihawa and Pipri, Kapilbastu District, Nepal. Rome: Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente.Google Scholar