Genetic study finds caste system in ancient India began about 2,000 years ago

A large genetic study of hundreds of people in South Asia has allowed scientists to probe important transition points in the population’s history, pinpointing when two different groups of people mixed widely and then stopped. The study provides a genetic signature of cultural changes that occurred as the caste system was put in place in India. David Reich, HMS professor of genetics, is the senior co-author.

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