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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2023/Paper I/Prehistoric Archaeology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2023 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Prehistoric Significance of Rakhigarhi — 2023 Paper I

Question · 2023 · Paper I · 10 Marks

Prehistoric significance of Rakhigarhi

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Introduction Spread across approximately 550 hectares in Haryana, Rakhigarhi is the largest known settlement of the Indus-Saraswati (Harappan) Civilization. Excavations spanning from Amarendra Nath’s early work to Vasant Shinde’s research, and the ongoing Phase IV (2026–2029) excavations, have made it the epicenter for understanding Harappan regional urbanism, burial practices, and long-term South Asian population history.

Archaeological and Cultural Significance

  1. Urban Settlement & Chronology: Continuous habitation layers from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan periods show how early villages evolved into planned urban centers. The site features extensive drainage networks, fired-brick architecture, and distinct craft production zones.
  2. Material Culture & Trade: Recoveries of terracotta toys, standardized steatite seals, semi-precious stone beads, and metallurgy indicate Rakhigarhi was a major manufacturing hub deeply integrated into broader Indus trade networks, yet displaying distinct regional variations.

Anthropological and Bioarchaeological Significance (The Turning Point) Rakhigarhi has revolutionized Indian bioarchaeology, primarily through discoveries at Mound No. 7 (the designated cemetery area).

  1. The 2019 aDNA Breakthrough: Genome-wide data extracted from a Rakhigarhi woman (published in Cell, Shinde et al., 2019) revealed an absence of Steppe Pastoralist (Indo-Aryan) ancestry. This fueled massive debates, suggesting that agriculture in South Asia was an indigenous development by people with a mix of Iranian hunter-gatherer and ancient South Asian ancestry.
  2. Recent Discoveries (2025–2026 Season): During the latest excavation phase, ASI uncovered eight new burials at Mound No. 7, including three complete human skeletons.
  3. Modern Multidisciplinary Shift (June 2026): In a historic move, ASI formally transferred these newly excavated skeletons to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) under a new MoU. AnSI is now conducting cutting-edge research in Kolkata, including:
    • Advanced aDNA extraction to expand the genetic database.
    • Stable Isotope Studies to reconstruct Harappan diets, health patterns, and migration paths.
    • Palaeopathological investigations to identify ancient disease prevalence.
    • Craniofacial reconstruction to visualize Harappan phenotypes.

Caution in Interpretation While Rakhigarhi provides unprecedented bioarchaeological data, anthropologists caution against biological determinism. A handful of genomes cannot entirely settle vast debates like the Aryan migration; true historical reconstruction requires combining genetic data with archaeological, linguistic, and environmental evidence.

Conclusion Rakhigarhi is no longer just an archaeological site; it is a bio-cultural archive. By bridging traditional settlement archaeology with cutting-edge archaeogenetics and biological anthropology, it is fundamentally rewriting our understanding of early urbanization and the ancestral roots of modern South Asians.

2026 Give the distribution of Palaeolithic sites around the Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan areas, highlighting the typo-technologies of the tools. 2026 Thermoluminescence dating method. 2026 Write a detailed note on the characteristic features, chronology, geographical distribution, tool types and lifeways of Magdalenian cultural tradition of Europe. 2026 What are the evidences available regarding crops and domesticated animals of Indus Valley Civilization? What are the views of the scholars regarding Indus script?

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2023 — Paper I

28 questions

1(b) Cultural impact of Iron Age

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution > Iron Age
2023Paper IPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

1(e) Gene expression

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Gene and protein synthesis
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(c) Glottochronology

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Language change
2023Paper ICulture & SocietyModel answer available

5(d) Menopausal symptoms

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

5(a) Polygenic Inheritance

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.2 Mendelian genetics in man > Polygenic inheritance
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

1(c) Race and Ethnicity

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Race and ethnicity
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(e) William Ogburn and Cultural lag

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural lag (Ogburn)
2023Paper IAnthropological TheoriesModel answer available