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Haplogroup I2b5

I2b-PH770

Macro-haplogroup
I
Parent clade
I2b
Formed (estimate)
c. 10,000–12,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 5,500–6,500 years ago

Overview

I2b5 (PH770) represents a Danubian–central European oriented branch of haplogroup I2b that likely emerged among late Mesolithic populations inhabiting the Danube corridor and upper central European river systems. Its position in the phylogeny suggests a lineage that persisted through early Neolithic transitions, integrating into LBK and post-LBK cultural groups while retaining older paternal signatures.

Geographic distribution

Modern distributions are highest in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and southern Germany. Additional representation appears in Slovenia, Croatia and Romania. Very low-level presence in Italy and Switzerland reflects ancient cultural contacts along Alpine routes.

Ancient DNA

  • Neolithic LBK-associated samples show I2b basal substrata compatible with early PH770 formation.
  • Late Neolithic and Copper Age individuals from the Czech Republic and Slovakia contain variants adjacent to I2b5’s phylogenetic position.
  • Early Bronze Age Danubian burials preserve I2b lineages indicative of long-term regional continuity.

Phylogeny & subclades

I2b5 branches parallel to I2b1, I2b2, I2b3 and I2b4 within the I2b complex. PH770 and downstream SNPs Y14127 and Y14129 define the clade. Internal structure is shallow but regionally coherent, consistent with modest demographic growth.

  • I2b-Y14127
  • I2b-Y14129
  • Basal PH770*

Notes & context

I2b5 is essential for the reconstruction of central European paternal ancestry during the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition, offering clues to the persistence of indigenous lineages amid early farming expansions.