Radiocarbon Dating Identifies the Indian Banyan Tree in Munger As the Oldest Accurately Dated Ficus Benghalensis in the World

Indian banyan trees, with their complex network of secondary trunks, support entire ecosystems and are often favored for large rural gatherings due to their vast canopy. However, dating these heritage trees in South Asia has traditionally relied on written records and local lore, resulting in imprecise age estimates that limit our understanding of their historical significance. This study establishes a precise minimum age for a monumental banyan tree located on the Indian Tobacco Company campus, founded in 1901 CE in Munger, Bihar, India. According to local lore, the tree has long been a gathering place for both rulers and commoners. Radiocarbon dating of the pith from an exposed secondary trunk and a primary branch of the Munger Banyan were 276 +/- 36 and 652 +/- 37 years BP, respectively, indicating when each sample of wood stopped exchanging carbon with the atmosphere. These findings suggest a minimum radiocarbon age of ca. 700 years, making it the oldest accurately dated Ficus benghalensis in the world. The study refines radiocarbon dating approaches for tropical hardwoods by emphasizing precise pith targeting, a method rarely applied due to indistinct growth-ring boundaries. By integrating advanced calibration techniques, the study enhances chronological accuracy and improves understanding of the longevity and significance of heritage trees and tropical forest ecosystems.