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Haplogroup I1-Z59

I1-Z59 Continental DF29 Backbone

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

Formed (estimate)

c. 4,200–4,800 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 2,500–3,200 years ago

Overview

I1-Z59 represents one of the earliest and most fundamental downstream branches beneath I1-DF29. Emerging during the Late Nordic Bronze Age, Z59 corresponds to an early split between inland-continental Germanic populations and more coastal or Scandinavian-centric radiations such as L22 and Z63. Its position near the base of the continental Z58 framework makes it a key reference point for reconstructing early Germanic population dynamics.

Geographic distribution

Modern carriers are concentrated in Germany (especially Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony-Anhalt), Denmark, the Netherlands, and northern Poland. Smaller but notable frequencies occur across Britain (Anglo-Saxon zones), Sweden, and Norway. Lower but sustained levels in France and Iberia reflect medieval expansions.

Ancient DNA

Early Iron Age burials from southern Scandinavia and the North German plain include upstream DF29 lineages compatible with early Z59 diversification.
Roman frontier period remains in the Rhine–Weser zone contain haplotypes aligning with the Z59 sector.
Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in eastern England include lineages mapping near the Z59–Z60 root.

Phylogeny & subclades

Z59 forms a major split under DF29, upstream of the richly represented Z58 clade. SNPs Z59, Z60 and Z62 define the backbone. Z59 includes several important downstream branches that form continental components of I1 phylogeny.

I1-Z60
I1-Z62
Basal Z59*

Notes & context