A · BT · CT · CF · F · J · J1-M267 · J1-P58 · J1-L147.1 · J1-ZS1120

Haplogroup J1-ZS1120

Macro-haplogroup
J
Parent clade
J1-L147.1
Formed (estimate)
c. 4,600 to 6,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 1,300 to 2,100 years ago

Overview

J1-ZS1120 is a downstream component of the J1-L147.1 Arabian expansion and originated among pastoralist populations inhabiting the northern Arabian steppe and adjacent Hejaz regions during the late Neolithic through early Bronze Age transition. These ancestral groups utilized desert mobility systems dependent on wells, wadis and rotational pasture access, forming the demographic substrate for later North Arabian tribalization. During the Bronze and Iron Ages, ZS1120-bearing communities took part in the formation of desert tribal networks extending across northern Arabia, Transjordan and western Mesopotamia. Its downstream phylogeny shows tight founder effects linked to Hejaz, Najd and Jordanian clan structures. Later demographic episodes during the early Islamic period extended certain subbranches into Iraq and the Gulf region.

Geographic distribution

Most common in Saudi Arabia and Iraq; moderate in Jordan, Syria and Kuwait; low elsewhere.

Ancient DNA

  • Bronze Age Levant DNA reflects upstream J1-P58 ancestry compatible with proto ZS1120.
  • Iron Age North Arabian samples show diversification overlapping with early ZS1120.
  • Early Islamic Arabian burials contain downstream ZS1120 derivatives.

Phylogeny & subclades

A regionally structured J1-L147.1 lineage defined by Arabian plateau mobility, pastoral specialization and tribal founder events.

  • ZS1120*
  • Hejaz derivatives
  • Northern Arabian microclades

Notes & context

A lineage valuable for reconstructing the early demographic expansion and tribal organization of North Arabian populations.