Origins
The Steppe ~3000 BCE
Long before the Vedas were composed, the ancestors of the Indo-Aryans lived on the Pontic-Caspian steppe. They were pastoralists, mastering the horse and the wheel, innovations that would transform the ancient world.
Genetics reveals their signature: the R1a haplogroup, a marker that traces a lineage from these northern grasslands Southeast towards the mountains of Central Asia.
The Chariot Builders
Sintashta Culture ~2100 BCE
Moving east, the Sintashta culture emerged. Here, the first war chariots were forged. Intense competition for resources led to fortified settlements and advanced metallurgy.
This era marks a crucial turning point. The linguistic predecessors of Indo-Iranian languages began to crystallize in this cauldron of innovation.
Expansion South
Andronovo Horizon ~1800 BCE
The vast Andronovo horizon represents a massive expansion. Communities pushed further south, encountering the complex civilizations of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC).
It was a time of cultural exchange. The strict geometric pottery of the steppe met the urban sophistication of the oxus civilization.
The Land of Seven Rivers
Sapta Sindhu ~1500 BCE
Crossing the Hindu Kush, they entered the Punjab—the Sapta Sindhu. Here, the oral traditions that would become the Rigveda were preserved with impeccable fidelity.
Roots of a Civilization
Gangetic Plain ~1000 BCE
From the Punjab, the culture expanded eastward into the Gangetic plain. The Kuru and Panchala kingdoms rose, setting the stage for the great epics and the urbanization of the second millennium.
Today, the genetic legacy of this journey is carried by millions, a molecular record of an epic migration.
Explore the Data
Interactive Map
The journey continues. Use the full dashboard to explore specific haplogroups, ancient DNA samples, and archaeological sites in detail.