Rakhigarhi Human Remains Handed Over for Scientific Study; New Insights into Harappan Civilization Expected

New Delhi: In a significant step toward unraveling the biological and genetic history of the ancient Indus-Saraswati Civilization, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formally transferred human skeletal remains excavated from the archaeological site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed scientific investigation. Researchers believe the remains could provide crucial insights into the ancestry, health, migration patterns, lifestyle, and environmental adaptations of one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations.

Rakhigarhi: Largest known Indus-Saraswati settlement

Spread across nearly 550 hectares in Haryana, Rakhigarhi is widely regarded as the largest known settlement of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization. Archaeological findings from the site have revealed evidence of continuous habitation from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan periods, including planned urban settlements, sophisticated drainage systems, craft-production centers, trade networks, and burial grounds.

During excavations conducted by ASI’s Excavation Branch-II, Greater Noida, in the 2025–26 field season, archaeologists unearthed eight burials at Mound No. 7, an area previously identified as a cemetery.

Three complete skeletons shifted to Kolkata laboratory

Among the discoveries were three complete human skeletons and several skeletal fragments recovered from other burials. These remains have now been transferred to AnSI’s ancient human skeletal repository and laboratory in Kolkata for comprehensive scientific examination. Officials indicated that additional skeletal materials recovered from the site are expected to be transferred in the coming days.

The transfer follows a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASI and AnSI, aimed at strengthening collaborative research on India’s archaeological and anthropological heritage.

Scientific community welcomes the initiative

The move has been welcomed by scholars and experts from the fields of archaeology, skeletal biology, genetics, and anthropology.

Prof. B.V. Sharma, Director of AnSI, said the collaboration is expected to significantly advance multidisciplinary research into one of South Asia’s most important archaeological sites.

Professor Vijay Prakash, former faculty member of Andhra University, described the transfer as an important step toward ensuring that biological heritage recovered through archaeological excavations is scientifically preserved and studied for future generations.

Similarly, Professor Udai Pratap Singh of Lucknow University termed the initiative a milestone in strengthening India’s palaeoanthropological research tradition, noting that AnSI possesses the expertise needed to reconstruct population history, health patterns, lifestyle, and cultural adaptations of ancient communities.

Ancient DNA and modern science to unlock Harappan secrets

Researchers say the remains offer a rare opportunity to employ advanced scientific methods, including:

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis
Stable isotope studies
Osteological assessments
Palaeopathological investigations
Environmental reconstruction studies

These techniques are expected to reveal vital information about ancestry, migration, diet, disease prevalence, genetic evolution, and human-environment interactions during the Harappan era.

National and international collaboration planned

AnSI has announced that the research will be undertaken in collaboration with several leading scientific institutions, including:

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
University College London
Banaras Hindu University

Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kumaraswamy Thangaraj said ancient DNA analysis of the Rakhigarhi remains could provide valuable evidence about genetic history and help scientists understand how human populations evolved and adapted since around 3000 BCE.

Professor Gyaneshwer Chaubey described the collaboration as a major step in reconstructing the genomic history of the Harappan Civilization and training a new generation of Indian palaeogenomics researchers.

Reviving India’s palaeoanthropological research

Officials noted that AnSI has conducted osteological studies on remains from Indus-Saraswati sites since its establishment in 1945. However, research activity in this field had declined over the years due to various challenges.

In recent years, the institution has sought to revive palaeoanthropological studies through specialized training programmes and dedicated research teams. AnSI has already completed palaeopathological studies on skeletal remains from several Indus-Saraswati sites and is preparing scientific publications based on those findings.

Understanding health, urbanization and human adaptation

Anthropologist Subhash Walimbe emphasized that detailed examination of the remains could reveal how urbanization influenced human health, biological adaptation, and disease patterns in ancient societies.

Former National Monument Authority Chairman Kishore K. Basa observed that skeletal biological research has significance beyond anthropology, contributing to knowledge in archaeology, history, population studies, nutrition, disease history, and genetics.

A new chapter in understanding India’s ancient past

Officials said the collaboration between ASI and AnSI represents an important effort to integrate archaeology, anthropology, genetics, and environmental sciences in the study of India’s ancient civilizations.

The findings from the Rakhigarhi remains are expected to significantly deepen understanding of the origins, mobility, health, genetic heritage, and population history of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization—one of the world’s earliest and most influential urban cultures.