UNCOVERING ANCIENT FOOTPRINTS: HOW GENES REVEAL THE ORIGINS OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION

Mon 09 September 2024:

In an ambitious study, researchers have delved deep into the genetic makeup of India’s diverse population to trace the origins and migrations that shaped one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The study, spearheaded by population geneticist Elise Kerdoncuff from the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed the genomes of 2,762 Indians from various regions, castes, tribes, and linguistic backgrounds to paint a comprehensive picture of India’s ancient past.

Kerdoncuff’s team discovered that the genetic ancestry of modern Indians is a complex tapestry woven from ancient Iranian farmers, Eurasian herders, and indigenous South Asian hunter-gatherers. The proportions of these ancestral lines vary significantly among different communities across India, revealing the country’s rich and varied genetic heritage.

Interestingly, the study suggests that the ancient Iranian farmers who contributed to the Indian gene pool may have originated from Sarazm, a prehistoric agricultural hub located in present-day Tajikistan. This finding sheds new light on the connections between ancient societies, emphasizing that human civilizations were more interconnected in the distant past than previously thought.

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A Rich Genetic Legacy from Neanderthals and Denisovans

One of the study’s most surprising revelations is the significant presence of archaic hominin DNA—specifically from Neanderthals and Denisovans—within the genomes of modern Indians. The research shows that Indian populations contain a remarkable diversity of these ancient genes, with 90.7% of worldwide Neanderthal sequences and around 51% of Denisovan sequences being unique to India.

Finally, the study concludes that the majority of genetic variation in India’s population today can be traced back to a major migration event from Africa that occurred approximately 50,000 years ago. While earlier migration waves also left traces, their contributions to the current genetic pool were minimal compared to this significant African influx.

This groundbreaking research not only deepens our understanding of India’s complex genetic history but also highlights the importance of expanding genomic studies beyond Europe to include diverse populations across the globe.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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