Why in News?

• Recently, human skeletal remains excavated from Rakhigarhi (Haryana) were formally transferred by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed scientific investigation.
• This transfer was carried out under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
• This initiative is expected to significantly strengthen multidisciplinary research on the Indus-Saraswati Civilization, one of the world’s ealiest urban civilizations.

About Rakhigarhi

• Located in Haryana, Rakhigarhi spreads across approximately 550 hectares.
• It is widely regarded as the largest known settlement of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization.
• The site shows evidence of continuous habitation from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan period.

Archaeological Findings

Excavations have revealed:

• Planned urban settlements
• Advanced drainage systems
• Craft production centers
• Trade networks
• Burial grounds

These features indicate a highly organized and sophisticated urban civilization.

Recent Excavation (2025–26)

During the 2025–26 excavation season, ASI’s Excavation Branch-II (Greater Noida) discovered:

• 8 burials at Mound No. 7 (identified as a cemetery)
• 3 complete human skeletons
• Additional skeletal fragments from other burials

These remains have now been transferred to AnSI’s ancient human skeletal repository and laboratory in Kolkata for advanced analysis.

Why is this Important?

The skeletal remains provide a rare opportunity to study the biological history of the Harappan people using modern scientific tools.

Scientists will apply:

1. Ancient DNA (aDNA) Analysis

Helps determine:

• Genetic ancestry
• Population origins
• Migration routes

2. Stable Isotope Analysis

Provides clues about:

• Diet
• Water sources
• Mobility patterns

3. Osteological Studies

Used to understand:

• Bone structure
• Age
• Gender
• Physical characteristics

4. Palaeopathology

Helps identify:

• Diseases
• Injuries
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Stress markers

5. Environmental Reconstruction

Used to analyze:

• Ancient climate
• Habitat conditions
• Human-environment interaction

Institutional Collaboration

The research will be conducted in collaboration with leading institutions:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
• Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)
• Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP)
• University College London (UCL)
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)

This collaboration will boost India’s research capabilities in palaeoanthropology and palaeogenomics.

Significance of the Study

The study may reveal crucial information about:

• Origins of Harappan populations
• Health and disease patterns
• Food habits
• Mobility and migration
• Adaptation to climate change
• Evolution of human genomes since 3000 BCE

It may also help resolve long-standing debates regarding the population history of the Harappan Civilization.

Conclusion

• The transfer of skeletal remains from Rakhigarhi marks a major milestone in Indian archaeological research.
• By integrating archaeology, anthropology, genetics, and environmental science, this initiative can provide unprecedented insights into the origins, lifestyle, health, and biological evolution of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization.

Indus-Saraswati Civilization