Thread by @IndianInterest

Interesting new study on the genomics of South and Central Asia. The study's dataset comprises 612 ancient individuals, including 65 from the Swat Valley (present-day Pakistan).

biorxiv.org/content/early/…
public.tableau.com/profile/vaghee…

The data was co-analyzed with genome-wide data from present-day individuals, 1,789 of which were from 246 ethnographically-distinct groups in South Asia.

The study finds evidence (in Turkmenistan and Iran) of population groups that migrated westward from India between 3100-2200 BCE.

The study finds evidence that migrants from Central Asia/Iran integrated with Indian population along northern fringe of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), in Swat Valley (present-day Pakistan).

This mixed population is genetically similar to present-day people of Swat Valley.

The study calls this mixed population group the "Indus Periphery: individuals. The study estimates that initial contact between Iranian and Indian population groups occurred around 4700-3000 BCE.

Important: These "Indus Periphery" individuals are NOT the Indus/Sarasvati valley people. They represent a mixed population with Steppe/Iranian ancestry, as well as Indus/Sarasvati ancestry.

The study confirms that there were migrations into India at various times in deep antiquity.

That is not surprising. We know of many such migrations: Greeks, Scythians, Tocharians/Kushans, Huns, etc. who migrated to India and assimilated into the population.

Modern India's population is undoubtedly mixed; an amalgamation of these various ethnicities. There is no such thing as a "pure" race or ethnicity.

What is unique about India is its distinctive culture and civilization - which could only have developed within India's geography.

The study does not have access to ancient DNA from the Indus/Sarasvati valley people. The ancient Indian DNA examined in the study is from Swat Valley, dates from 1200 BCE – 1 CE.

As such, the study cannot throw light on the genetic makeup of the Indus/Sarasvati valley people.

The study does not assess the scale of the migration (how many individuals migrated, in how many pulses/waves).

Determining the language/culture of the Indus/Sarasvati valley people is beyond the study's scope, as is determining the language/culture of the migrant peoples.

Can the study confirm that the migrants are "Aryans"? No, it cannot. It's beyond the study's scope.

Can the study identify the ethnic/genetic origin of the original IVC inhabitants? Can it identify their language/culture? No, it cannot. Again, it's beyond the study's scope.

So, does the study confirm that there was an "Aryan invasion/migration"? No, it does not.

Does it find that Sanskrit and Vedic culture were brought into India by migrants? No, it does not.

The ONLY thing that will settle the "Aryan invasion/migration" debate once and for all is a large-scale genetic study of ancient DNA from Indus-Sarasvati valley individuals.

This should include a large number of pre-5000 BCE individuals, & ideally a few pre-7000 BCE individuals.

This paper represents the infancy of genetic research into India's ancient past.

Many more studies will have to be conducted before the true picture of India's genetic past (and indeed, that of the world) emerges.

Give it another 10-20 years.

The next interesting study should be a genetic analysis of ancient DNA extracted from Rakhigarhi, Haryana.

Settle down, we're in for a long ride.

Some more interesting points from the study: More evidence of migration out of India, westwards, c. 2300 - 1700 BCE, into the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC).

No evidence that the "Indus Periphery population" is indicative of the ancestry of the (entire) Indus/Sarasvati civilization population, as the study did not have access to ancient IVC DNA.