Scientists Confirm Nearly 700-Year-Old Banyan Tree as World’s Oldest Accurately Dated
Scientists Confirm Nearly 700-Year-Old Banyan Tree as World's Oldest Accurately Dated
Scientists Confirm Nearly 700-Year-Old Banyan Tree as World’s Oldest Accurately Dated
A team of researchers has confirmed that a banyan tree in Munger, Bihar, India, is nearly 700 years old, making it the world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree.
The breakthrough was achieved by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, who used radiocarbon dating on the tree’s wood cellulose to determine its age. Unlike many temperate trees, tropical species such as banyan trees do not develop distinct annual growth rings, making conventional age estimation difficult.
Researchers found that the tree predates a historic structure located beside it by several centuries, meaning it has stood through the construction of the landmark and witnessed major historical events, including the Mughal era, British colonial rule and India’s independence.
The discovery highlights the remarkable longevity of banyan trees and underscores the value of advanced scientific techniques in uncovering the hidden histories of some of the world’s oldest living organisms.
The findings were published in Quaternary Research in 2026, providing new insights into the age and historical significance of ancient tropical trees.
Scientists Confirm Nearly 700-Year-Old Banyan Tree as World’s Oldest Accurately Dated
