Research published in the Evolutionary Anthropology Journal has mapped the genetic history of the Mahanadi Basin, identifying the first evidence of specific adaptive mutations in Neolithic populations. By analyzing ancient DNA from 6,000-year-old skeletal remains, scientists found a high prevalence of genetic variants linked to resistance against endemic tropical parasitic infections, such as Schistosomiasis. This suggests that the early settlers of the basin underwent a rapid evolutionary response to the challenges of riverine and swampy environments.
The study also traces a distinct genetic transition approximately 5,000 years ago, coinciding with the expansion of rice cultivation in the region. This transition shows an influx of Austroasiatic-related ancestry that integrated with local hunter-gatherer groups. Researchers argue that this hybrid population combined traditional knowledge of the wetland ecosystem with new agricultural technologies, creating a resilient genetic and cultural foundation for the subsequent Bronze Age developments in Eastern India.