Overview
D1a is one of the cornerstone paternal lineages of Paleolithic East Asia. Emerging shortly after the initial diversification of D1, it expanded along the interior and coastal corridors of East and Southeast Asia. D1a later diversified into clades that would form the deep paternal ancestry of the Japanese Jōmon, several early mainland hunter-gatherer groups, and small isolated populations in the Himalayan foothills. Its broad but fragmented distribution mirrors the complex demographic landscape of East Asia before agricultural expansions reshaped the region.
Geographic distribution
Modern D1a branches are found in Tibet, southern China, Japan, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Himalayan foothills. Some basal lineages occur at extremely low frequencies in Central Asia.
Ancient DNA
- Late Paleolithic individuals in southern China and mainland Southeast Asia show D1a-like ancestry.
- Jōmon-era Japan contains several D1a-derived branches.
- Ancient genomes from the Himalayan region reveal early D1a signals preceding the rise of D1b.
Phylogeny & subclades
D1a contains two major expansions: D1a1 (Tibetan/Sino-Tibetan and some mainland SEA) and D1a2 (Jōmon/Japan-specific).
Notes & context
D1a forms the foundation for multiple regionally crucial subclades across East and Southeast Asia.
References & external links