New Delhi, June 22: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has officially transferred human skeletal remains recently unearthed at the archaeological site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana to the Anthropological Survey of India (ANSI). An official confirmed this development on Monday.
Professor B.V. Sharma, Director of ANSI, stated that the transfer of the skeletal remains was conducted under a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations. This collaboration is expected to significantly enhance multidisciplinary research on one of the most important urban centers of the Indus-Saraswati civilization.
Researchers believe these remains offer a rare opportunity to utilize modern scientific techniques. These include ancient DNA analysis, stable isotope studies, osteology, ancient disease research, and environmental reconstruction.
Using these methods, significant insights into lineage, migration patterns, diet, disease prevalence, adaptation strategies, and human-environment relationships during the Harappan period are anticipated.
Rakhigarhi, sprawling over approximately 550 hectares, is considered the largest known site of the Indus-Saraswati civilization. Archaeological excavations have revealed continuous habitation from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan phases, including planned settlements, drainage systems, craft production centers, trade networks, and cemeteries.
During the 2025-26 field season, ASI’s Greater Noida excavation branch discovered eight graves at Mound No. 7, previously identified as a cemetery.
An official statement indicated that three complete human skeletons and additional skeletal fragments from other graves have been transferred to ANSI’s ancient human skeleton repository and laboratory in Kolkata for detailed examination.
The remaining skeletal materials from these sites are expected to be transferred in the coming days.
Professor Vijay Prakash, a former faculty member at Andhra University, described the transfer of skeletal materials as a significant step. He emphasized that this will ensure the scientific analysis of the biological heritage obtained from archaeological excavations and its preservation by national institutions for future generations.
Professor Uday Pratap Singh from Lucknow University also noted that this transfer marks an important milestone in strengthening India‘s paleo-anthropological research tradition. He stated that ANSI’s expertise in human biology and osteology positions it well to re-evaluate aspects of population history, health, lifestyle, and cultural adaptation within the Indus-Saraswati civilization.
Subhash Walimbe, a former professor and anthropologist from Deccan College in Pune, stressed the need for in-depth anthropological investigations of the remains to understand how urbanization has influenced human biological and disease-related responses.
Officials remarked that the collaboration between ASI and ANSI represents a significant effort to integrate archaeology, anthropology, genetics, and environmental science in the study of India’s ancient past.
The statement concluded that the remains from Rakhigarhi are expected to provide valuable insights into the origins, health, mobility, and biological history of one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations.
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