A · BT · CT · CF · F · J · J1-M267 · J1-P58 · J1-L147.1 · J1-ZS910

Haplogroup J1-ZS910

Macro-haplogroup
J
Parent clade
J1-L147.1
Formed (estimate)
c. 4,700 to 6,100 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 1,300 to 2,100 years ago

Overview

J1-ZS910 is a downstream element of the J1-L147.1 expansion and reflects a demographic process centered on early pastoralist populations of the northern Arabian interior. These groups operated on desert-steppe resource systems structured around wells, wadis and caravan-related mobility networks. The lineage originated during the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age transition, during which environmental pressures encouraged seasonal movement and tribal consolidation. By the Bronze and Iron Ages, ZS910-bearing communities played active roles in the development of early North Arabian tribal formations. Their downstream organization shows multiple founder effects tied to Hejazi, Najdi and southern Levantine lineages, some of which appear in early Islamic contexts in Arabia, Iraq and the Gulf. The lineage's phylogenetic distribution aligns closely with historically documented desert populations.

Geographic distribution

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

Ancient DNA

  • Bronze Age Levant individuals show upstream J1-P58 ancestry consistent with early ZS910.
  • Iron Age North Arabian samples show diversification linked to proto ZS910.
  • Early Islamic frontier burials exhibit downstream ZS910 microclades.

Phylogeny & subclades

A structured Arabian-centered J1-L147.1 derivative shaped by pastoral mobility and tribal founder events.

  • ZS910*
  • Hejaz derivatives
  • Arabian interior branches

Notes & context

A lineage informative for reconstructing desert tribal ancestry and early Semitic-speaking expansions across northern Arabia.