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Haplogroup I1-L813

I1-L813 Scandinavian Norwegian

Macro-haplogroup
I
Parent clade
I1
Formed (estimate)
c. 3,200–3,900 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 1,900–2,300 years ago

Overview

I1-L813 is a foundational Scandinavian branch of I1, especially associated with Norwegian Early Iron Age populations. Its geographic pattern aligns with the internal consolidation of proto-Norse communities and the emergence of regional cultural identities in western and central Norway. L813 displays moderate demographic expansion rather than the massive growth observed in some L22 or Z63 clades, reflecting more isolated mountainous and fjord-bound populations.

Geographic distribution

Today, L813 is most common in Norway—particularly Vestlandet, Trøndelag, and Oppland. It also appears in Sweden and Denmark at lower frequencies. Viking Age expansions introduced L813 into Iceland, the British Isles and northern France.

Ancient DNA

  • Pre-Roman and Roman Iron Age remains from western Norway show I1 lineages matching the phylogenetic root of L813.
  • Several Viking Age burials from Norway and Iceland contain subclades of L813.
  • Swedish Vendel and Viking sites feature haplotypes that cluster closely with early L813 structure.

Phylogeny & subclades

L813 descends from I1-Z58 but sits apart from the dominant branches such as Z63 and Z138. SNPs L813, S68 and Z2336 define the clade. Its downstream diversification includes several region-specific microclades largely restricted to Norway and adjacent Scandinavian regions.

  • I1-S68
  • I1-Z2336
  • Basal L813*

Notes & context

I1-L813 is a key lineage for tracing inland Norwegian paternal history and provides a counterpoint to coastal and Baltic-oriented Scandinavian I1 clades.