Gold Relics:
Gold Stupa Ornament
Measurements: 15 cm in height. Material: Gold. Preservation State: Well-preserved, with intricate engravings depicting Buddhist symbols.
Religious Significance: This ornament signifies the connection to the divine and was likely used in ceremonial practices.
Historical Context: Referenced in Marshall's reports for its representation of royal patronage toward Buddhism.
Gold Leaf Manuscripts
Measurements: 25 cm x 20 cm. Material: Gold leaf on palm leaves. Preservation State: Fragile, requiring careful handling.
Religious Significance: Used for ritual reading and sacred teachings.
Historical Context: Highlighted as a vital part of Buddhist literary culture in ancient times.
Silver Relics:
Silver Bowl
Measurements: 30 cm in diameter. Material: Silver. Preservation State: Slight tarnishing, but structurally intact.
Religious Significance: Used for offerings during Buddhist rituals.
Historical Context: Related to the material culture of the period, as documented by UNESCO.
Silver Figurine of Buddha
Measurements: 10 cm tall. Material: Silver. Preservation State: Excellent, with detailed features.
Religious Significance: Represents the teachings of the Buddha and was likely a focus of devotion.
Historical Context: Found during excavations, indicating the widespread devotion to Buddhism.
Stone Relics:
Stone Inscriptions
Measurements: Various, up to 50 cm in length. Material: Sandstone. Preservation State: Well-preserved, clear engravings.
Religious Significance: Contains teachings and historical records significant to Buddhism.
Historical Context: Essential for understanding the propagation of Buddhist ideas, cited in Marshall's work.
Stone Pillars
Measurements: 2 m in height. Material: Limestone. Preservation State: Good, with minimal erosion.
Religious Significance: Markers of sacred spaces within the stupa complex.
Historical Context: Used in historical studies to illustrate architectural practices in ancient Asia.
Stupa Foundation Stones
Measurements: Diameter of the base 2.5 m. Material: Large stone blocks. Preservation State: Stable.
Religious Significance: Foundation of the stupa symbolizes the cosmic mountain in Buddhist cosmology.
Historical Context: Reflects ancient construction techniques documented by Marshall.
Stone Reliefs
Measurements: 1 m x 1.5 m. Material: Sandstone. Preservation State: Minor weathering.
Religious Significance: Illustrates Jataka tales, enriching the narrative of Buddha’s previous lives.
Historical Context: Integral part of cultural and artistic heritage in Buddhist sculpture.
Gold Relics:
Gold Stupa Ornament
Measurements: 15 cm in height. Material: Gold. Preservation State: Well-preserved, with intricate engravings depicting Buddhist symbols.
Religious Significance: This ornament signifies the connection to the divine and was likely used in ceremonial practices.
Historical Context: Referenced in Marshall's reports for its representation of royal patronage toward Buddhism.
Gold Leaf Manuscripts
Measurements: 25 cm x 20 cm. Material: Gold leaf on palm leaves. Preservation State: Fragile, requiring careful handling.
Religious Significance: Used for ritual reading and sacred teachings.
Historical Context: Highlighted as a vital part of Buddhist literary culture in ancient times.
Reliquary Casket
Measurements: 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm. Material: Gold. Preservation State: Intact, with Kharosthi inscriptions.
Religious Significance: Contains Buddha's sacred tooth relic and signifies the importance of relics in Buddhist culture.
Historical Context: Sir John Marshall’s excavations in 1913 unearthed this gold reliquary inscribed with the phrase "Nausiru-Satka Danta."
Bone Fragments
Measurements: Varying sizes, with the largest piece measuring 8 cm. Material: Bone. Preservation State: Fragmentary, with some pieces weathered.
Religious Significance: Believed to be the remains of monks executed during historical conflicts.
Historical Context: Discovered in 1934 near the southern entrance of the stupa, linked to the White Huns’ invasion.
Sacred Tooth Relic
Measurements: Varies as it is a part of the relic ensemble. Material: Not specified, preserved within the casket. Preservation State: Carefully protected.
Religious Significance: Central to the veneration practices of Buddha and indicative of pilgrimage culture.
Historical Context: Inscriptions and structure of the stupa align with traditions of relic veneration.
Silver Relics:
Silver Bowl
Measurements: 30 cm in diameter. Material: Silver. Preservation State: Slight tarnishing, but structurally intact.
Religious Significance: Used for offerings during Buddhist rituals.
Historical Context: Related to the material culture of the period, as documented by UNESCO.
Silver Figurine of Buddha
Measurements: 10 cm tall. Material: Silver. Preservation State: Excellent, with detailed features.
Religious Significance: Represents the teachings of the Buddha and was likely a focus of devotion.
Historical Context: Found during excavations, indicating the widespread devotion to Buddhism.
Relic Casket
Measurements: 15 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm. Material: Gold. Preservation State: Excellent, with inscriptions intact.
Religious Significance: Sir John Marshall’s excavations in 1913 unearthed a gold reliquary inscribed in Kharosthi script with the phrase "Nausiru-Satka Danta" (interpreted as "Buddha’s sacred tooth relic").
Historical Context: Provides insight into the material culture and relic practices of early Buddhism.
Bone Fragments
Measurements: Varying sizes, up to 10 cm. Material: Human bone. Preservation State: Fragmentary, some remains well preserved.
Religious Significance: In 1934, excavators discovered human bone fragments near the southern entrance of the stupa. These remains were later associated with monks executed during the White Huns’ invasion.
Historical Context: Highlights the intersection of violence and spirituality during turbulent periods in history.
Sacred Tooth Relic Inscriptions
Measurements: 20 cm x 10 cm. Material: Stone. Preservation State: Intact, clear engravings.
Religious Significance: The stupa's inscriptions and structure align with traditions of relic veneration, especially those related to the dispersal of relics from the Buddha’s cremation site in Kushinagar.
Historical Context: Signifies the enduring importance of relics in Buddhist practice and belief.
Stone Relics:
Stone Inscriptions
Measurements: Various, up to 50 cm in length. Material: Sandstone. Preservation State: Well-preserved, clear engravings.
Religious Significance: Contains teachings and historical records significant to Buddhism.
Historical Context: Essential for understanding the propagation of Buddhist ideas, cited in Marshall's work.
Stone Pillars
Measurements: 2 m in height. Material: Limestone. Preservation State: Good, with minimal erosion.
Religious Significance: Markers of sacred spaces within the stupa complex.
Historical Context: Used in historical studies to illustrate architectural practices in ancient Asia.
Stupa Foundation Stones
Measurements: Diameter of the base 2.5 m. Material: Large stone blocks. Preservation State: Stable.
Religious Significance: Foundation of the stupa symbolizes the cosmic mountain in Buddhist cosmology.
Historical Context: Reflects ancient construction techniques documented by Marshall.
Stone Reliefs
Measurements: 1 m x 1.5 m. Material: Sandstone. Preservation State: Minor weathering.
Religious Significance: Illustrates Jataka tales, enriching the narrative of Buddha’s previous lives.
Historical Context: Integral part of cultural and artistic heritage in Buddhist sculpture.
Relic Caskets: Sir John Marshall’s excavations in 1913 unearthed a gold reliquary inscribed in Kharosthi script with the phrase "Nausiru-Satka Danta" (interpreted as "Buddha’s sacred tooth relic").
Bone Fragments: In 1934, excavators discovered human bone fragments near the southern entrance of the stupa. These remains were later associated with monks executed during the White Huns’ invasion.
Sacred Tooth Relic: The stupa's inscriptions and structure align with traditions of relic veneration, especially those related to the dispersal of relics from the Buddha’s cremation site in Kushinagar.
Golden Stupa Relic
Measurements: Height 30 cm. Material: Gold plating over bronze. Preservation State: Excellent.
Religious Significance: Represents the presence of Buddha and enhances the spiritual energy of the stupa.
Historical Context: This relic showcases the opulence of Buddhist relics during the early centuries of the era.
Marble Inlaid Box
Measurements: 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm. Material: White marble with inlay work. Preservation State: Well-preserved.
Religious Significance: Used to store sacred offerings, symbolizing purity and devotion.
Historical Context: Highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of artisans in the region during the 5th century.
Clay Seals
Measurements: Diameter 10 cm. Material: Clay. Preservation State: Fragmented.
Religious Significance: Used to authenticate relics and indicate ownership, serving as a sign of respect for sacred objects.
Historical Context: These seals provide insights into administrative practices in ancient Buddhist communities.