ASI Transfers Rakhigarhi Skeletal Remains to AnSI

Source: The Hindu

Context

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formally transferred human skeletal remains excavated from the Rakhigarhi archaeological site in Haryana to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) — a national research institute under the Ministry of Culture — for detailed multidisciplinary scientific investigation. The transfer was made under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions, announced by the Ministry of Culture on Monday, 22 June 2026. Prof. B.V. Sharma, Director of AnSI, said the transfer is expected to “significantly advance multidisciplinary research” into one of the most important urban centres of the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation. During the 2025–26 excavation season conducted by ASI’s Excavation Branch-II, Greater Noida, archaeologists uncovered eight burials at Mound No. 7 at Rakhigarhi — an area previously identified as a cemetery. Three complete human skeletons along with skeletal fragments from other burials have now been moved to the AnSI’s ancient human skeletal repository and laboratory in Kolkata. Rakhigarhi, spread across approximately 550 hectares in Hisar district, Haryana, is the largest known settlement of the Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilisation, with continuous habitation from the Early Harappan to Mature Harappan periods. The research will apply ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, stable isotope studies, osteological assessments, palaeopathological investigations, and environmental reconstruction, in collaboration with the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (Lucknow), University College London (UCL), and Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The transfer revives focus on the iconic 2019 study that revealed the Rakhigarhi woman lacked steppe pastoralist ancestry, igniting the Aryan migration debate.

Key Facts

• From: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• To: Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI).
• Both under: Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Instrument: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASI and AnSI.
• Destination Laboratory: AnSI’s Ancient Human Skeletal Repository and Laboratory, Kolkata.

About the 2025-26 Excavation

• Excavator: ASI’s Excavation Branch-II, Greater Noida.
• Site: Mound No. 7 at Rakhigarhi.
• Burials uncovered: 8 new burials in the 2025-26 field season.

About Rakhigarhi

• Location: Hisar district, Haryana (approximately 150 km from Delhi).
• Spread: ~550 hectares.
• Significance: Largest known settlement of Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilisation.
• Habitation Period: Early Harappan (~5500–2600 BCE) to Mature Harappan (~2600–1900 BCE).
• Number of Mounds: 9 mounds (designated RGR-1 to RGR-9).
• Features: Planned settlements, drainage systems, craft production centres, trade networks, burial grounds.
• Mound 7 (RGR-7): Identified as a cemetery.

Aryan Migration Debate

• Aryan Invasion Theory: 19th-century colonial-era theory (Max Müller, Mortimer Wheeler) — Aryans invaded India c. 1500 BCE, destroyed IVC.
• Aryan Migration Theory: Modern revision — steppe pastoralists migrated (not invaded) into South Asia around 2000–1000 BCE, bringing Indo-European languages.
• Rakhigarhi Implications:
  • Lead archaeologist Vasant Shinde: Said study “completely rejects” both Aryan invasion and migration theories.
  • Geneticists (Narasimhan, Reich): Maintain steppe ancestry entered later, supporting some form of migration.
  • Term Preference: “Indo-Aryan” preferred over “Aryan” to avoid racial connotations.

About the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• Established: 1861 by Alexander Cunningham (under Lord Canning).
• HQ: New Delhi.
• Director General: Yadubir Singh Rawat (as of 2025).
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
• Functions: Archaeological research, conservation, preservation of monuments, sites, and antiquities.
• Excavation Branches: Six branches across India.
• Mandate: Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.

About the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)

• Established: 1945 (carved out of Zoological Survey of India).
• HQ: Kolkata.
• Director: Prof. B.V. Sharma.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
• Functions: Research on biological and cultural anthropology, palaeoanthropology, ethnographic studies, human genetics, osteology.
• Regional Centres: 8 across India.
• Maintains: Ancient human skeletal repository of IVC and other ancient sites.

About the Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilisation

• Period: 3300–1300 BCE; mature phase 2600–1900 BCE.
• Discovery: 1921 at Harappa by Dayaram Sahni; Mohenjo-daro in 1922 by R.D. Banerji.
• Major Sites in India: Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Banawali, Surkotada, Daimabad.
• Major Sites in Pakistan: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Chanhudaro.
• Spread: Modern Pakistan, NW India, Afghanistan.
• Total Sites Known: 2,000+, majority in India (post-Partition).
• Features: Urban planning, drainage, granaries, seals, weights & measures, trade networks.

Phases of Harappan Civilisation

Phase	Period	Characteristics
Early Harappan	5500–2600 BCE	Regional cultures, beginnings of urbanism
Mature Harappan	2600–1900 BCE	Peak urban phase, planned cities, script
Late Harappan	1900–1300 BCE	Decline, regionalisation

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the transfer of Rakhigarhi skeletal remains in June 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The skeletal remains were transferred from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI).
2. The transfer was carried out under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
3. Both ASI and AnSI function under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
4. The skeletal remains have been transferred to AnSI’s repository in New Delhi.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the remains were transferred to AnSI’s ancient human skeletal repository and laboratory in Kolkata, NOT New Delhi.)

Q2. With reference to Rakhigarhi, consider the following statements:

1. Rakhigarhi is located in Hisar district, Haryana.
2. It is spread across approximately 550 hectares.
3. It is widely recognised as the largest known settlement of the Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilisation.
4. It is located in the Gangetic plains and is contemporary with the Vedic period.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Rakhigarhi is located in the Saraswati basin, NOT the Gangetic plains, and belongs to the Harappan period (Bronze Age), NOT the Vedic period.)

Q3. With reference to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1945.
2. It is headquartered in Kolkata.
3. It functions under the Ministry of Culture.
4. It is exclusively responsible for archaeological excavations in India.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; archaeological excavations are conducted by the ASI, not AnSI; AnSI focuses on anthropological, osteological, and palaeoanthropological research.)

Q4. With reference to the 2019 study on the Rakhigarhi woman’s DNA, consider the following statements:

1. The study was published in the journal Cell on 5 September 2019.
2. The Rakhigarhi woman’s genome had Iranian-related farmer ancestry mixed with Ancient Ancestral South Indian (AASI) ancestry.
3. The genome showed zero steppe pastoralist ancestry.
4. The lead author of the study was Dr. David Reich of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the co-first authors were Vasant Shinde (Deccan College) and Vagheesh Narasimhan; David Reich is from Harvard Medical School; Niraj Rai is from Birbal Sahni Institute.)

Q5. With reference to the Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilisation, consider the following statements:

1. The Harappan Civilisation was discovered in 1921 at Harappa by Dayaram Sahni.
2. Mohenjo-daro was discovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerji.
3. The mature phase of the Harappan Civilisation is dated 2600–1900 BCE.
4. Dholavira and Lothal are major Harappan sites located in Pakistan.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Dholavira and Lothal are major Harappan sites located in Gujarat, India, NOT Pakistan.)

Q6. With reference to the planned scientific techniques to be applied to the Rakhigarhi remains, consider the following statements:

1. Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis will be used to study ancestry and population history.
2. Stable isotope studies will help reveal diet, mobility, and geographical origins.
3. Palaeopathological investigations will identify ancient diseases and injuries.
4. The research will be conducted exclusively by Indian institutions without international collaboration.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the research will be conducted in collaboration with international institutions, including University College London (UCL).)

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because remains went to Kolkata, not Delhi.
2. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Rakhigarhi is Harappan, not Vedic, and is in the Saraswati basin.
3. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because excavations are conducted by ASI, not AnSI.
4. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Vasant Shinde and Narasimhan were co-first authors.
5. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Dholavira and Lothal are in Gujarat, India.
6. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because UCL and others are international collaborators.

Exam Relevance

Exam	Relevance
UPSC Prelims	GS Paper I on Indian Heritage & Culture (Harappan Civilisation, Indus Valley sites); GS Paper II on Government Bodies (ASI, AnSI, Ministry of Culture); GS Paper III on Science & Technology (Ancient DNA, Palaeogenomics)
UPSC Mains	GS Paper I on Indian Culture, Ancient History, Bronze Age civilisations; GS Paper II on Indian polity (statutory bodies, intergovernmental collaboration); GS Paper III on Science applications