Archaeological study sheds light on India’s climate adaptation

New Delhi, Jan 31: In an archaeological study, researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) have delved into a 2500-year human occupation sequence at the Vadnagar site in semi-arid Gujarat. The study, encompassing archaeological, botanical, and isotopic data, unveils a tale of human adaptation to climatic shifts during historic, medieval, and post-medieval periods.

The 2000-year archaeological journey provides critical insights into India's past climate adaptations, offering a valuable roadmap for modern societies navigating the complex terrain of climate change and sustainable living.

The research, recently published in Quaternary Science Advances, explores the impact of Northern Hemisphere climate events such as the Roman Warm Period (RWP), Medieval Warm Period (MWP), and Little Ice Age (LIA) on dynastic transitions and crop harvesting in northwest India.

What emerges from this multiproxy study is a resilient crop economy based on small-grained cereals, particularly millets (C4 plants), reflecting human adaptation to a prolonged weakening of the summer monsoon.

The Intensity of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) precipitation varies across the subcontinent due to geographical factors like latitude, altitude, and proximity to the sea. Despite the critical influence of ISM on early civilizations, its archaeological context has been relatively unexplored. The scarcity of Historic sites and multi-disciplinary work has obscured the impact of climate anomalies on human societies in the past.

The study not only traces variations in rainfall and their consequences but also provides valuable insights into past human responses to climate change. By examining changes in cropping patterns, vegetation, and cultural development over the last two millennia, the research offers crucial lessons for contemporary societies grappling with the challenges of future climate change.

The archaeological settlements at Vadnagar play a significant role in understanding the region's response to climatic changes, particularly monsoonal fluctuations. The combination of archaeobotanical analysis, including macro and micro botanical remains, and isotopic and radiocarbon dating, enables a comprehensive assessment of food production and socio-economic practices during periods of increased precipitation and weakened monsoons (drought).

The findings suggest that, despite climate deterioration, food production persisted, highlighting the resilience of socio-economic practices in the face of environmental challenges. Moreover, the study indicates that historic famines during climate changes were influenced not only by environmental factors but also by institutional considerations.