A new paleogenomic study published in Nature Genetics has analyzed the DNA of individuals buried near the Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed in Haryana. The remains, dating back to 6,000 BCE, show a unique genetic mutation associated with enhanced immune response to specific respiratory viruses common in humid riverine environments.
This genetic signature suggests that the Neolithic inhabitants of the Saraswati-Indus system had already adapted to the challenges of dense settlement life long before the rise of the mature Harappan cities. The findings provide critical insights into how ancient human health and evolution were shaped by the specific environmental conditions of the Indian subcontinent's early river civilizations.