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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup I2b4

I2b-Z2148

Macro-haplogroup
I
Parent clade
I2b
Formed (estimate)
c. 9,000–11,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 5,000–6,000 years ago

Overview

I2b4 (Z2148) is a western and central European branch of haplogroup I2b, originating among late Mesolithic or early Neolithic groups inhabiting the Rhine–Meuse–Danube interaction zones. The lineage survived through successive cultural transitions, including LBK farming expansions, Bell Beaker movements and early Bronze Age transformations.

Geographic distribution

Modern distributions center in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, eastern France and Switzerland. Lower frequencies occur in Austria, Czechia and northern Italy. Minor representation in Britain is linked to early continental transfers.

Ancient DNA

  • Early Neolithic LBK individuals show I2b lineages close to the ancestral node of Z2148.
  • Bell Beaker-associated burials in central Europe contain lineages positioned near early I2b4 structure.
  • Bronze Age samples from southern Germany retain I2b substrata consistent with Z2148.

Phylogeny & subclades

Z2148 forms a parallel branch to I2b1, I2b2 and I2b3 within I2b. Markers Z2148, Z2149 and Y7362 define the clade, which shows moderate internal diversification concentrated in central Europe.

  • I2b-Y7362
  • I2b-Z2149
  • Basal Z2148*

Notes & context

I2b4 is of high value for reconstructing central European paternal ancestry across the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition and into Bronze Age social systems.