Triterpenoid wax esters confirm Ficus religiosa in archaeological sequences within the Mayadevi temple shrine, Lumbini – the birthplace of Buddha

Archaeological analysis at Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, confirms that the sacred Ficus religiosa tree occupied the central open space within the Mayadevi Temple shrine and its surrounding grove from the earliest phases of Buddhism. Using triterpenoid wax esters as biomarkers, researchers identified diagnostic chemical signatures unique to F. religiosa leaves, distinguishing them from other sacred trees like Saraca asoca and Shorea robusta. Soil lipid analysis revealed consistent markers of β-amyrin and α-amyrin esters, alongside longer-chain homologues, indicating the tree's presence throughout the shrine's development. While F. religiosa was rare in the broader Lumbini landscape, its prominence in the temple and adjacent areas underscores its significance in early Buddhist religious practice. This study demonstrates the potential of leaf-wax biomarkers to shed light on archaeological tree shrines in South Asia.

Reay, M. K., Simpson, I. A., Zhao, W., Coningham, R. A. E., Davis, C., Acharya, K. P., Manuel, M., Strickland, K., Gilliland, K., Kinnaird, T. C., & Bull, I. D. (2025). Triterpenoid wax esters confirm Ficus religiosa in archaeological sequences within the Mayadevi temple shrine, Lumbini – the birthplace of Buddha. Frontiers in Geochemistry, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgeoc.2025.1507366