Ancient Ujjain Skeletons May Yield New Insights Through Modern DNA Testing

During a trial excavation by the Gwalior State archaeological department in 1938-39, workers uncovered 42 skeletons at Kumhar Tekri near Ujjain, some buried, others cremated, and positioned in diverse postures. The bones, now held by the Archaeological Survey of India in Kolkata, are thought to belong to the 3rd century BC, though earlier dates have not been excluded. Scientists such as Veena Mushrif-Tripathy recommend applying modern techniques—including AMS radiocarbon dating, DNA sequencing and isotope analysis—to resolve questions of age, sex, diet and ancestry.

The ASI’s Bhopal circle also seeks permission to dig at the adjacent Vaishya Tekri, which contains a stupa three times larger than the one at Sanchi, hoping the site will supply missing cultural context. The mixture of burial and cremation practices suggests the individuals may have come from different groups, a hypothesis supported by the presence of shell jewellery and varied grave goods. Further study could illuminate the social structure and rituals of an otherwise obscure ancient community in central India.