Abstract: An examination is made of the problems associated with identifying the Indo-Aryans in the archaeological record within the subcontinent of India. This is done through a consideration of the regional cultures that have been typically connected with intruding Indo-Aryan elements-- the Gandhara Grave culture, the Jhukar cultures, the Cemetery H culture, and the Painted Gray Ware culture. The ways in which these cultures have been related to the Indo-Aryans are discussed and interpretative options outlined. The last two sections of the chapter look at the lack of evidence of Aryans in the skeletal record and at the aspects of continuity and innovation in the archaeological record. The opinion of the majority of professional archaeologists interviewed in India (and also working outside South Asia) seems to be that there is no archaeological evidence to support external Indo-Aryan origins.

Keywords: archaeological evidence, continuity, India, Indo-Aryan origins, innovation, regional cultures, skeletal record,