In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Indian government has launched an ambitious scientific study to trace the population history of South Asia using ancient and modern genomics. The project is being spearheaded by the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) under the Ministry of Culture, with the goal of finding conclusive evidence about the origins and migrations of ancient Indian communities.

Titled "Reconstruction of the population history of South Asia using ancient and modern genomics," the study aims to shed light on South Asia’s complex migration history. It involves the analysis of 300 ancient skeletal remains, primarily cranial and bone fragments, including teeth, that were excavated from various archaeological sites in India and Pakistan. These sites include historically significant places like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Burzahom, Nagarjunakonda, Maski, Ropar, and Lothal.

The skeletal remains, which were excavated between 1922 and 1958 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), were later entrusted to the AnSI for safekeeping. These remains will play a crucial role in understanding how ancient Indian populations evolved over time.

This project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, which operates under the Department of Science & Technology. According to officials, the study seeks to explore the origins of ancient Indian communities by examining DNA extracted from these ancient skeletal remains. This will offer unprecedented insight into ancient diets, living conditions, disease prevalence, and the migration patterns of ancient peoples.

A key focus of the study is the long-debated Aryan migration theory. In the 19th century, Western scholars proposed that a group of fair-skinned Aryans migrated from Central Asia to India after the Indus Valley Civilisation (2000-1,500 BC). These Aryans, according to this theory, played a crucial role in shaping the subcontinent’s civilisations.

However, many modern Indian archaeologists contest this theory. According to them, the Aryans were indigenous people who lived along the Saraswati River. These scholars argue that when the Saraswati River dried up, these populations migrated both within and outside India, eventually settling in the Indus Valley.

Recent excavations, like those at the Sinauli archaeological site in Uttar Pradesh, suggest that the warrior chariots and weapons found there indicate an indigenous origin of these people, further questioning the Aryan migration theory. Based on these findings, NCERT textbooks were recently updated to reflect a continuous Indian civilisation for over 5,000 years, casting doubts on the migration theory.

While the ongoing research aims to provide more clarity on whether the Aryan migration did or did not occur, it is expected to offer conclusive evidence about the movement of ancient populations and their interactions with other groups. Officials believe this study will lead to a more nuanced and accurate understanding of India's ancient history.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this groundbreaking project was signed between AnSI and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in July 2024, with the study expected to be completed by December 2025. The project also benefits from a partnership with University College London, which aims to further enhance the study of genetic and cultural evolution in human populations.

According to Niraj Rai, Group Head of the Ancient DNA Lab at the Birbal Sahni Institute, this study holds immense significance. "We are currently trying to extract DNA samples from the remains provided by AnSI, which is a complex process," Rai explained. Preliminary findings have already suggested a continuity of genetic material, with no significant genetic changes identified in the samples analyzed so far.

The collaboration between the AnSI and University College London is just the beginning. More partnerships with global research institutions are in the pipeline to deepen our understanding of South Asia's ancient populations.

This research could ultimately alter the narrative of South Asian history, offering new perspectives on ancient migrations and civilisation development.

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