Rakhigarhi Skeletons Transferred for Scientific Research

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Human skeletal remains from Rakhigarhi, a major Harappan site in Haryana, have been formally transferred by the Archaeological Survey of India to the Anthropological Survey of India.
The Anthropological Survey of India works as a national research institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.
Both institutions completed this transfer to conduct detailed scientific studies on the ancient remains.

The transfer happened under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two government bodies.
Authorities shifted three complete skeletons and related skeletal fragments to the Anthropological Survey of India laboratory located in Kolkata.
Rakhigarhi covers an area of about 550 hectares, making it one of the largest known settlements of the Harappan Civilisation, which is also called the Indus Valley Civilisation or Indus-Saraswati Civilisation.

Excavations at the site revealed planned settlements, drainage systems, and craft production centres.
The site also showed active trade networks and burial grounds, pointing to continuous habitation from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan periods.
Experts identified Mound Number 7 at Rakhigarhi as a major burial area, recovering 56 human skeletons from there.
These finds include the remains of a woman dated to around 4,600 years ago.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid analysis of the Rakhigarhi woman showed the absence of the Steppe Pastoralist genetic component, which feeds into debates on Aryan migration into India.
Researchers will use methods such as ancient Deoxyribonucleic Acid analysis, stable isotope studies, osteological assessment, palaeopathological investigation, and environmental reconstruction.
The project involves collaboration with premier institutions like the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, University College London, and Banaras Hindu University.

This deep scientific study will provide clear insights into ancestry, migration patterns, diet, and disease during the Harappan period.
It will also shed light on health, social status, adaptation strategies, and human-environment relations.
These findings are especially crucial because the Harappan script remains undeciphered up to this day.