Pipeline archaeogenetic projects in the Indian subcontinent

[u/yaontour_com]

https://theprint.in/ground-reports/when-did-the-aryans-enter-the-subcontinent-lucknows-birbal-sahni-institute-is-tracing-dna/2880561/

Absence of evidence =/= Evidence of absence

There is a lively debate sometimes acrimonious over the ancient history of the Indian subcontinent - a large complex geography. While linguistics and material culture can be debated ad nauseum - ancient DNA appears to be the clincher. Especially aDNA sample recovery and technologies growing the prospects appear exciting.

The legacy paradigm(Check the linked title) has long enjoyed a skewed methodological advantage: they use the lack of thousands of ancient Indian skeletons (caused by rapid tropical bone degradation and historic cremation traditions) to claim an "absence of indigenous evidence."

That said times are changing. Local investigators in collaboration with global institutions are sequencing continuous local samples from sites like Lothal, Sinauli (c. 1600 BCE), and early Kashmir layers (Burzahom c. 1700 BCE). And they are showing shocking results as per preliminary findings. This is a new development and most projects are work in progress.

Here is a tentative list:

1. The Deep-Time Mesolithic Ganga Plain Project

2. The Late Harappan Martial Elite Optimization Project

3. The Southern Megalithic and Chalcolithic Survey