Oldest accurately dated Banyan found in Munger, Bihar

India, July 3 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

A banyan tree in Munger, Bihar, estimated to be around 700 years old, has been identified as the oldest accurately dated banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis, using radiocarbon dating, a method that relies exclusively on scientific evidence rather than historical records or local lore

Banyan trees, with their intricate root and branch networks, provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, including birds and insects. They have also played a significant role in Indian social and cultural life for centuries. Traditionally, estimating their age relied on folklore, local stories or historical records, which were often inaccurate. These living representations of history were not scientif...