An extensive paleogenomic analysis of human remains found in the Mahanadi Delta has identified the world's oldest known genetic adaptations to tropical parasitic fevers. The study, conducted by the Institute of Genomics and Ancient Health, analyzed the DNA of individuals from 4000 BCE and found a high frequency of specific alleles associated with innate immune responses to mosquito-borne pathogens.
The findings suggest that the early inhabitants of the humid Eastern Indian coast underwent intense selective pressure, leading to a rapid evolutionary transition that modern populations in the region still carry. This research provides a crucial biological timeline for how ancient civilizations managed the health challenges of expanding into high-density, high-humidity riverine environments during the Neolithic period.