Antiquity and Peopling of the Deccan – an Ancient DNA approach – RUSA project – from Archaeology to Technology (1)
Treatment of explored excavated and preserved objects: In India, the ancient sites of monuments, temples etc., have been raided, as they have been at remote places and many in the depilated conditions and unprotected also. The tomb raiding, temple looting and monument raping have been going on, as otherwise, the foreign museums could not have more and more Indian artifacts. Only a few cases were reported in India like VJA Flynn vs UOI[1], whereas, others were not reported or suppressed. This area has also been alarming, as to how they could be smuggled out of India – has been intriguing. With the increase in infrastructure development activities, it is understood that many artifacts are found, but, rarely reported. Ironically and unfortunately such excavations have led to the destruction of Paleolithic, megalithic and other historic sites[2]. The CAG report has also been pointing out such conditions[3].
Changing phases of archaeology: Nowadays, the archaeology, archaeological excavations and related issues are getting much attention in the media and the associated people have been so enthusiastic and jubilant to see such stuff and enjoy themselves. Official and non-official explorations and excavations[4] have been going on and claims of discovery of idols, sculptures, inscriptions, coins and other artifacts have been appearing the media[5]. Either ASI or the State government agencies[6] appear to indulge in such activities[7]. Such features appear almost daily or frequently by the claims of enthusiasts, amateurists and independent explorers. There have been tomb-raiding type[8] of excavations and they are rarely reported. Many claims are made, but such news-items die down within two-three days and none bothers about. Now, the menace YouTubers who also contribute their mite with exaggerated claims and embellished verbose manipulating the data and information. Only this type of blown-up, half-truth and manipulated details reach many, whereas the real or original reports are not read by the common people. Of course, the excavation conducting officials or organizations also delay in publishing the reports. With all these claims and shortcomings, crores / millions are spent on excavation activities, publication and setting up laboratories. The Ancient DNA Lab has been one of them.
2019-2000 – MKU signed a MOU with Harvard University’s David Reich Laboratory: In a first in the State, the Madurai Kamaraj University’s (MKU) School of Biological Sciences has set up a laboratory to conduct research on forensic anthropology and bio anthropology of artifacts unearthed at excavation sites, at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)[9]. In September, 2019, the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department expressed its interest in collaborating with the MKU for research purposes and the varsity’s syndicate accepted the invitation[10]. Subsequently, the MKU signed an MoU with Harvard University’s David Reich Laboratory[11] to conduct research on findings from excavation sites across the State, including Keezhadi[12]. Following a request from the MKU in 2020, the State government allotted it Rs 2.5 crore from RUSA funds to set up a laboratory to conduct preliminary DNA sequencing from artefacts. Speaking to TNIE, MKU Vice-Chancellor J Kumar said the works for the lab have been completed now[13].
MKU DNA lab starts working on DNA: Noting that the varsity has already received preliminary reports of DNA extracted from human and animal bones, bacteria and plants from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) in Lucknow, the Head of the Department of Biological Science at MKU Prof. G Kumaresan told TNIE, “We have 30 human skeletal samples from excavation sites. After taking their CT scan and sending the reports to the Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, we would conduct research in forensic anthropology and bio anthropology, forensic genetics and forensic pathology at our new lab.” He further said the department has so far extracted 500 million pieces of DNA from each sample. “We will be able to undertake extraction, computation and analysis of DNA in the new lab, which could also be called a ‘class 1000 ancient facility’ since it is designed to facilitate sensitive research, fabrication and other operations that must take place in the absence of dust, moisture and other airborne contamination,” Kumaresan added. Six researchers are employed at the lab and they have already begun to segregate and research DNA from an urn, skeletal bones and other archaeological items unearthed from excavation sites, including Keezhadi, Kodumanal and Sivakala.
2020 – Ancient DNA Lab was initiated by the Tamilnadu Government: The antiquities unearthed during the ongoing archaeological excavations at places like Keeladi, Adichchanallur, Sivagalai and Kodumanal across the state will be analyzed using modern scientific methods in reputed laboratories and institutions, said minister for Tamil language, culture and archaeology K Pandirajan[14] in August 2020. “To supplement the ongoing archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu, Madurai Kamaraj University has taken necessary steps to establish an ‘ancient DNA lab’ at a cost of Rs 3 crore[15].… We normally depend on foreign laboratories for testing and it consumes a lot of time and energy. New initiatives like this will help get the results faster,” the minister said, while releasing “Ongoing archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu: A status report (July 2020).”
What the Ancient DNA Lab would study about: The report, which includes graphs, fact-files and figures, shows the systematic archaeological explorations and excavations conducted across the state since the sixth season of systematic archaeological excavation was inaugurated by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on February 19, 2020. Having recognized the valuable contribution of specialized disciplines for a deeper analysis of archaeological findings, the state Department of archaeology is collaborating with experts from such fields as archaeo-botany, molecular biology, population genetics, prehistoric archaeology, environmental archaeology and linguistic archaeology. “The department has taken up a major initiative in adopting various technologies like ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey, magnetometer survey, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey to identify the ideal spot for carrying out the explorations and excavations with the help of reputed institutions in India,” he said.
How it is useful for archaeology: On the trenches and quadrants laid as part of the excavations at Keeladi, Adichchanallur, Sivagalai and Kodumanal, Pandirajan said 76 trenches and 168 quadrants had been opened till the end of July. “We have collected 128 carbon samples from these sites, the highest being 97 from Keeladi and its clusters,” he said. It was to study the civilisation that flourished along the Vaigai river in detail that excavations have been taken up in the clusters of Keeladi such as Kondagai, Manalur and Agaram, he said. “The available information provides a clear idea of a habitation-industrial-burial site here.” Asked why the department was not taking any action to preserve the idols that had been returned from foreign countries, Pandiarajan said the courts concerned and the police department had to decide where these idols should go. “We are ready to take care of them. But it’s the court that should decide whether the idols should go to the temple or museum,” he said.
© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao
17-06-2024
[1] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Historians involved in smuggling also – The historical case of Prof. V.J.A. Flynn, a friend of many Indian historians – arrested for smuggling, jailed and deported to Australia for further proceedings!, February 17, 2022.
[2] Earlier, the dam construction activities resulted in such destruction, replacement and submergence of the sites. Some have been displaced, relocated, restored and reconstructed. Left outs are kept in near by place that might be converted into museum or lied there for many years. Any visitor who visits once in five or ten years could note such conditions at the dam-constructed and many protected monuments sites.
[3] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, CAG Report on missing monuments – ASI searching for, found and lost; how and why they are missing, hiding, getting lost etc?, April 30, 2023.
[4] Times of India, ASI stops excavation after discovery of mysterious ‘bearded man in skull cap’ image, P Naveen / TNN / Updated: Jun 14, 2019, 12:48 IST.
[5] The ASI headquarters has stopped excavation at a site in MP’s Singrauli where a mysterious engraving — of a bearded man in ‘foreign attire’ and a skull cap — was discovered on a brick in a 6th Century temple three months ago (April 2019).
[6] Times of India, Citizens complain to Archaeological Survey of India about illegal excavation work by PMC, Manish Umbrajkar / TNN / Updated: Dec 23, 2012, 21:43 IST.
[7] Citizens groups who had first complained to the Pune Municipal Corporation about the illegal excavation activity within the protected zone of Grade I ancient site Pataleshwar caves, have now sent letters to the Archaeological Survey of India in Mumbai.
[8] Tom raiding has been the act of opening or stealing from (ancient) tombs in order to obtain valuable items or antiquities, typically with the intention of selling them. It is a belief that the grave goods of the tombs contain valuables like diamonds, gold jewelry, silver articles and so on. Of course, whatever antique is recovered that is valuable in the antique market.
[9] Indian Express, PTR to unveil ancient DNA lab at Madurai Kamaraj University on Thursday, Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam, Updated on: 16 Nov 2022, 5:31 am.
[10] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/Nov/16/ptr-to-unveil-ancient-dna-lab-at-madurai-kamaraj-university-on-thursday-2518644.html
[11] Reconstructing Indian population history (Nature 2009). Nature (news, podcast) BBC Radio, Reuters
[12] Lotus Times, Ancient DNA Lab opened in MKU; helps in genetic studies and data analysis for Archaeology Department’s excavations in Tamil Nadu, By Shastry V Mallady Nov 17, 2022, 19:27 Pm
[13] https://www.lotustimes.org/2022/11/17/ancient-dna-lab-opened-in-mku-helps-in-genetic-studies-and-data-analysis-for-archaeology-departments-excavations-in-tamil-nadu/
[14] Times of India, Rs 3cr ‘ancient DNA lab’ to study excavated artefacts in TN: Minister, M T Saju / TNN / Updated: Aug 25, 2020, 10:57 IST
[15] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rs-3cr-ancient-dna-lab-to-studyexcavated-artefacts-in-tn-min/articleshow/77730097.cms
Filed under: ancient DNA, archaeological sites, archaeology, artefact, artifact, bio anthropology, blood, body, bone, bone collection, bone export, broken head, broken parts, caste, chalcolithic, chemical, chronology, culture, David Reich Laboratory, death, disease, DNA, Dravidi, Dravidian, dravidian model, dravidian monkey, dravidian stock, forensic, forensic anthropologist, forensic anthropology, forensic expert, Forensic Medicine, gene, genetic studies, genetic stutudies, genetics, genography, geo-archaeology, geoarchaeology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, rusa | Tagged: ancient DNA, archaeology, bio anthropology, bio-genetics, biology, cell, chromosome, David Reich Laboratory, epigenetics, forensic anthropology, Forensic Medicine, gene, genetic studies, genetics, history, India, indus-valley-civilization, Madurai Kamaraj University, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, rusa, travel |
Kvramakrishnarao's Blog 
Leave a comment