The AASI Population & The Roma People

 Who were the AASI?

The AASI (Ancient Ancestral South Indians) represent a hypothetical ancestral population in India, inferred from genetic studies. They are considered the original hunter-gatherer inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent, and their lineage predates the arrival of agriculturalists and pastoralists from other regions, such as the Iranian Plateau and Central Asia.

In other words;

• The AASI likely descended from populations that migrated out of Africa and reached South Asia tens of thousands of years ago, possibly as early as 50,000–70,000 years ago.
• They were primarily hunter-gatherers and lived in the Indian subcontinent long before the development of agriculture.
• Genetically, they were distinct from other major ancestral populations of India, such as those associated with Neolithic Iranian farmers and the Steppe Pastoralists (i.e. the Aryans).
• The AASI are often linked to the Neolithic & Mesolithic (in fact older, i.e. Paleolithic) populations found in the Indian subcontinent. Evidence of their existence can be seen in the form of stone tools and rock art from this period, dating back to 10,000 years ago and earlier.
• Sites like the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh and various Mesolithic settlements provide evidence of these early hunter-gatherers.

Genetics of the AASI & Modeling the AASI with modern tools

Genetically the AASI are distinct from these populations;

• Onge and Jarawa (Andamanese): While these groups are related, they represent a separate branch closer to Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers (like those associated with the Hoabinhian tradition).
• Other later populations of the Indian Subcontinent, like Iranian Neolithic farmers or Steppe Pastoralists: With use of these we can model the ASI & ANI (about those I will write later in this article).

So, how do we get the AASI as the genetical group to be used in nowadays DNA tests?

Well, we have tools to simulate these populations (for example on Genoplot, we can make the Ghost simulated sample for G25 calculator, of course exist also other tools, for example qpadm).

How do we do that if there is not "clean" or "clear" AASI sample available? How do we simulate the Ghost sample?

• We're using the tribal groups in Southern India like the Paniya, Pulliyar, Irula and Hakkipikki, who have some of the highest AASI ancestry.
• We're also using some ancient samples from Northern India, which are available like the Saidu Sharif outlier sample (highest ancient AASI component in Northern India), as well in the IVC (Indus Valley Civilisation) samples (among the IVC it was around 30% AASI, while Iranian Neolithic made up the rest 60+%).
• As well, we're using some tribal & high-AASI groups from Northern India like the Bhil, Gond, Chamar or Bania.

We then model the AASI from the samples of these populations adjusting it by excluding later influences in the built of these population, i.e. we remove the later reference populations from these samples like;

• Steppe ancestry (from Aryan migrations ~2000 BCE, e.g., Sintashta-related groups).
• Iranian Neolithic farmer ancestry (which arrived with agriculture ~7000 BCE).

And to it we add small percentage of the Sahul Ancestry instead.

Note: Some attempts to model AASI have included Namazga ancestry (associated with Central Asian farming cultures), but this is inaccurate and doesn't reflect the true AASI genetic profile.

Genetic legacy of the AASI

Modern genetic studies have reconstructed the AASI component from the genomes of contemporary South Asian populations and ancient remains (described above). And this has shown that;

• The AASI contributed significantly to the genetic makeup of modern South Asians, especially populations in southern India and among tribal groups.
• They were later mixed with incoming populations, such as Neolithic Iranian Farmers (~7000 BCE) and Steppe Pastoralists (~2000 BCE), leading to the formation of the two major ancestral groups of modern South Asians:

1. Ancestral South Indians (ASI): A mix of AASI and Iranian Farmers, with little or no Steppe Ancestry.
2. Ancestral North Indians (ANI): A mix of Steppe Pastoralists and Iranian Farmers, with some AASI contribution.

Note: The ASI and ANI are Bronze Age and Iron Age populations, while the AASI are much older.

The Roma People & the AASI in their Genetical Profile

Modern genetic tests of Roma People show that;

• Between 16–26% AASI ancestry is among fully Roma individuals (i.e. they have both parents Romane, which doesn't mean that they were not mixed earlier, i.e. they might have mixed grandparents), while in some even exceeding 30%.

What it means?

• It means that the Roma People originally (before leaving the Indian Subcontinent) have had around 50% of the AASI (in fact exceeding 50%).

This proves that the Roma People are originally from the Indian Subcontinent (solely using genetics, of course it is proven by other ways also, including linguistics & traditions), and we can even trace their origins to the Adivasi (Original People's -> Tribal) groups of the Indian Subcontinent, as their original AASI was exceeding 50%, in some cases even reaching 60%, which is very high for Northern India, pointing on the ancient origins in further South of India (which was proven also by the ethnic name of the Roma, i.e. Ḍom, i.e. ṭamaṭama in Dravidian languages, which means the drum).

The AASI is not widely spread outside of the Indian Subcontinent, also the AASI component in the genetics outside of the Indian Subcontinent was spreading due to the migrations (including the Romani migration) to other populations. For example among the Kurds it is not exceeding 6%, and it is among the due to the Romani/Domari admixture and also earlier Mitanni population in the region (the Mitanni had probably very low AASI, as they were more connected to the Central Asian Pastoralists), while among the Pashtuns and Tajiks it is roughly 12% (in Swat Valley a lot higher due to the Pashtun invasion of the originally Indic areas).

By the time the Roma People left the Indian Subcontinent (525–1000 CE), they had a mix of dominant AASI, with smaller contribution of the Iranian Neolithic, and Central Asian (Aryan) ancestry. Later, as they migrated through Iran, the Caucasus, and Europe, their AASI ancestry was further diluted and were added new components to the Romani genetical profile like the ANF (Anatolian Neolithic Farmer), which is strong in Mediterranean and Europe in general, as well the CHG (Caucasus Hunter-Gatherer), which is strong in the Caucasus Mountains.

Conclusion (in points)

• While the AASI were primarily hunter-gatherers, their cultural and genetic legacy persisted through integration with later populations. Many indigenous tribes in India today, particularly in central and southern regions, retain a significant proportion of AASI ancestry.
• The AASI form a crucial part of understanding human migration and adaptation. Their descendants' genetic diversity highlights the deep prehistory of human settlement in South Asia.
• In essence, the AASI were the original inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent, contributing a foundational layer to the genetic and cultural tapestry of modern India. Their history is a testament to the deep antiquity of human life in this region.

• Understanding AASI ancestry among the Roma People is important for several reasons, as it sheds light on their origins, migration history, and cultural identity. And proves the Indic Ancestry of the Roma People.
• AASI ancestry acts as a genetic "marker" that helps track the Roma People's journey;

1. The high AASI levels among proto-Roma suggest they came from southern Indian communities.
2. As they moved northward around 800–500 BCE, they mixed with populations in northern India (who had more ANI ancestry from Iranian Farmers and Steppe Pastoralists).
3. After leaving India (525–1000 CE), their AASI component was diluted further through mixing with populations in Iran, the Caucasus, and Europe.

Understanding AASI ancestry offers insights into how much of the original South Asian genetic makeup survived their long migrations and helps pinpoint key stages of their journey.

For the Roma, knowing their genetic history enhances their sense of cultural and historical identity (especially among those disconnected from Romipen & Romani language);

• Many Roma today are disconnected from their South Asian heritage due to centuries of migration and integration into new regions. AASI ancestry serves as a tangible link to their origins.
• Understanding the Roma’s unique genetic makeup, including AASI ancestry, helps highlight their distinct identity as a population with deep Indian roots, despite centuries of adaptation in Europe.