Ancient DNA: revisiting past through population genomics

Ancient DNA

Abstract

In the last two decades, advances in human population genetics and novel anthropometric approaches have played an important role in understanding the human population structure, their migration and adaptation towards particular environment. Genetic haploid markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y-chromosomal DNA (NRY- non recombining region of Y chromosome) and 3-dimensional morphometrics (craniofacial measurement of human skull) have proven to be one of the best tools to learn about the prehistory as well as to test various models in the course of evolution of modern humans. Studies on the origins of modern humans in Indian subcontinent have taken two different approaches – one, focusing on the archaeological record of the initial settlement of our species in South Asia, the other, pinpointing on the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of Indian populations. This paper would discuss the promise of ancient DNA research as a tool in understanding the past population dynamics of our ancestors in South Asia.