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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup B-P6

B-P6 (YFull B2a2)

Macro-haplogroup
B
Parent clade
B-M150
Formed (estimate)
c. 25,000–40,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 6,000–12,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup B-P6 is the sister branch to B-M109 under B-M150 and represents a parallel Holocene radiation with strong Sahelian and Central African affinities. Its distribution reflects demographic interactions between early agricultural groups and forager-descended populations living in the savanna and woodland belts of Central and Eastern Africa. B-P6 likely formed in the mid-Holocene climatic optimum, when increasing rainfall facilitated population movements across the central Sahel and adjacent ecological corridors.

Geographic distribution

B-P6 appears across Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic and northern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also present at varying frequencies in Uganda, Rwanda and western Tanzania, reflecting exchanges between early farming and pastoralist communities. In Southern Africa, B-P6 is found among some Bantu-speaking populations and groups with partial Khoisan ancestry, consistent with multi-layered Holocene gene flow. It is very rare outside Africa.

Ancient DNA

  • Ancient individuals from eastern Africa show B2-derived mutations consistent with early-stage B-P6 ancestors.
  • Holocene Sahelian populations exhibit genetic components that align with the spread of P6-related clusters.
  • Iron Age genomes from regions bordering the Congo Basin show B-P6 signatures that reflect incorporation into expanding mixed subsistence communities.

Phylogeny & subclades

B-P6 forms several region-specific clusters that parallel the structure observed in B-M109 but with stronger eastern and south-central African representation. Its internal diversity reflects the varied ecological zones inhabited by early Holocene populations. Although less sampled than B-M109, new sequencing projects are revealing additional sublineages with refined geographic associations.

  • B-P6* (basal B-P6 lineages)
  • Central African P6 regional clusters
  • East African P6 sublineages

Notes & context

B-P6 highlights the role of Sahelian and Central African ecological corridors in shaping African paternal diversity. Together with B-M109, it provides a balanced representation of the internal structure under B-M150 and offers insight into Holocene demographic connectivity between West, Central and Eastern Africa.