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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup I2b6

I2-Y6793

Macro-haplogroup
I
Parent clade
I2b
Formed (estimate)
c. 10,000–14,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 4,500–6,000 years ago

Overview

I2b6 (Y6793) is a rare but phylogenetically significant branch of the I2b radiation. It likely arose among late Mesolithic forager populations living along the upper Danube and Upper Rhine watersheds. The lineage survived into the Neolithic and Chalcolithic eras within relatively isolated upland communities, displaying minimal expansion compared to larger I2b branches.

Geographic distribution

Present-day distributions are low-frequency and fragmented, with small clusters recorded in southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia, and parts of Hungary. Minor signals appear in France and northern Italy due to ancient trans-Alpine connectivity.

Ancient DNA

  • Late Mesolithic genomes from the upper Danube basin show upstream I2b signals compatible with early Y6793 divergence.
  • Neolithic Linearbandkeramik and early Alpine populations carry I2b lineages near the phylogenetic root of I2b6.
  • Copper Age individuals from central Europe exhibit deep-branching I2b haplotypes related to the Y6793 cluster.

Phylogeny & subclades

I2b6 is defined by SNPs Y6793, Y6800 and BY18901. It forms a minor but distinct branch under I2b, parallel to I2b1–5. Internal diversification is shallow, reflecting limited demographic growth.

  • I2-Y6800
  • I2-BY18901
  • Basal I2b6*

Notes & context

I2b6 is essential for understanding the microstructure of Mesolithic paternal diversity in central Europe and its survival into historic-era populations.