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Haplogroup G2b3b

G-Y37214

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

G2b3

Formed (estimate)

c. 12,000–14,500 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 2,800–4,000 years ago

Y37214
Y37235
Y37241
private Y372xx mutations

Overview

G2b3b constitutes the secondary principal branch of the rare G2b3 radiation and represents a geographically fragmented but archaeogenetically resonant paternal lineage. Emerging during the late Epipaleolithic or early Holocene, G2b3b persisted as a low-frequency, regionally localized clan structure. Through the Bronze and Iron Ages it remained embedded within Iranian-speaking highland communities, likely contributing to tribal formations in the Zagros–Alborz arc.

Geographic distribution

Present-day carriers appear primarily in western Iran (notably Kordestan, Kermanshah, and the central Zagros), northern Iraq, and small minority clusters in Azerbaijan and Armenia. Isolated occurrences are also recorded among Kurdish-speaking groups. The pattern suggests preservation in rugged, geographically insulated highland zones.

Ancient DNA

Late Bronze Age northwest Iran exhibits genetic structures consistent with upstream G2b3 ancestry.
Early Iron Age individuals in the Lake Urmia basin show partial SNP overlap with the Y372xx clade.
Archaeogenomic proximity to pre-Urartian and early Median cultural horizons suggests long-term regional retention.

Phylogeny & subclades

Defined by Y37214, this branch shows modest diversification. Downstream microbranches (Y37241+, Y37235+) track with particular highland tribes and appear tied to limited founder effects within Iron Age and later medieval populations.

G2b3b* (basal)
G2b3b1 (Y37241-linked)
G2b3b2 (regional Zagros microclusters)

Notes & context