News Archaeology

Early shrine unearthed at Nepal Buddhist site

Remains of 2,500-year-old wooden structure found beneath temple at Buddha’s birthplace

BUDDHA'S SECRETS  Archaeologists working inside Nepal’s Maya Devi Temple direct excavations of what is possibly the earliest known Buddhist shrine while Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage to the site meditate in the background.

Ira Block/National Geographic

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Remains of a wooden structure at the Buddha’s birthplace dating to at least 2,500 years ago provide a rare glimpse of ancient religious practice in South Asia.