ELEANOR HALL: Researchers around the world have moved a little closer to understanding the early history of Buddhism, with the help of Australian science.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has confirmed that ancient manuscripts which surfaced in Afghanistan in the 1990s are the earliest Buddhist texts ever found and also the earliest Indian manuscripts.

And the Australian researcher who's been translating the texts says the find has helped to settle a few historical arguments.

ELEANOR HALL: Researchers around the world have moved a little closer

to understanding the early history of Buddhism, with the help of Australian science.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has confirmed that ancient manuscripts which surfaced in Afghanistan in the 1990s are the earliest Buddhist texts ever found and also the earliest Indian manuscripts.

And the Australian researcher who's been translating the texts says the find has helped to settle a few historical arguments.