Overview
C1b (M38) is one of the oldest surviving paternal lineages associated with the first modern humans to reach Sahul, the prehistoric landmass comprising Australia and New Guinea. This clade reflects the early southern coastal dispersal out of Africa and is deeply tied to the founding populations of Oceania. Its presence among Aboriginal Australians, Melanesians and Papuans highlights a genetic legacy that predates later Holocene expansions and remains among the most ancient non-African paternal signals anywhere in the world.
Geographic distribution
C1b is most common among Aboriginal Australians and Melanesians, including groups in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Some branches extend into eastern Indonesia, particularly in regions with Papuan ancestry components.
Ancient DNA
- Ancient Sahul DNA indicates paternal lineages ancestral to modern C1b diversity.
- Late Pleistocene individuals from Oceania show genetic structures consistent with the M38 lineage.
- Archaeogenetic continuity between early Sahul settlers and Holocene Aboriginal populations aligns with C1b’s deep antiquity.
Phylogeny & subclades
C1b is defined by M38 and includes downstream branches such as C1b1 (M347) in Australia and C1b2 in Melanesia. The clade’s structure suggests a rapid early radiation followed by long-term regional isolation.
Notes & context
C1b is one of the strongest markers of early modern human settlement in Australasia.
References & external links