Pagoda construction ages reveal historical human migration in the Western Tibetan Plateau

The Western Tibetan Plateau (WTP), a nexus of Central, South, and East Asia, played a vital role in shaping early Asian cultural and religious exchanges. Understanding human activities in this region is essential for reconstructing these historical interactions, yet the study of settlement and migration here faces significant obstacles due to limited archaeological research and fragmented historical records. This study employs pagoda construction as a targeted approach to investigate human migration and cultural diffusion. We compiled an extensive dataset of pagoda construction ages across the WTP using radiocarbon (14C) measurements, analyzing organic remains from 29 sites. Our results align 14C ages with documented construction dates, affirming the approach’s consistency. Initial pagoda building in the Zanda Basin aligns with Buddhism’s introduction to the Tibetan Plateau in the early 7th century, suggesting that Buddhism entered via multiple routes, beyond the routes in the eastern plateau. Most pagodas, however, emerged during and after the Later Propagation of Tibetan Buddhism (post-9th century), reflecting a resurgence of religious activity. In Zanda, construction spans 7th-20th centuries, while in Purang, most pagodas postdate 15th century, suggesting a significant migration from Zanda to Purang during the late Guge Kingdom and its decline, likely driven by political turmoil, religious conflicts, and climate change. These spatiotemporal patterns, corroborated by regional relic distributions, demonstrate that pagoda ages can uncover hidden histories of human mobility, providing fresh insights into the intricate interplay of early cultures, religions, and population movements across Asia.