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Haplogroup J2-M172

J-M172 (J2 root)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

Formed (estimate)

c. 26,000–32,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 20,000–25,000 years ago

M172

Overview

Haplogroup J2-M172 represents the principal root of the J2 lineage, a major branch of the Y-chromosome tree strongly associated with the early Neolithic expansions, ancient Near Eastern populations and the demographic transitions that shaped West Asia, the Mediterranean and parts of South Asia. J2 lineages played a key role in the spread of early agriculture, metallurgy, and Bronze Age cultural networks.

Geographic distribution

The highest concentrations of J2-M172 and its descendant branches occur across the Near East, Anatolia, the Caucasus, Iran, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean basin. Secondary diffusion occurred eastward into Central and South Asia, as well as westward into Southern Europe through Neolithic and later Bronze Age migrations.

Ancient DNA

Early Neolithic farmers from Anatolia and the northern Levant show multiple J2-derived lineages consistent with the Near Eastern origin of the clade.
Bronze Age samples from the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and the Zagros region contain numerous derived J2 branches, reflecting population expansions tied to early state societies.
Mediterranean Iron Age populations, including Classical Greek and Phoenician-associated groups, carried diverse J2 signatures.

Phylogeny & subclades

J2-M172 divides primarily into two major subclades: J2a and J2b. These branches underwent large-scale expansions during the Neolithic and Bronze Age, giving rise to complex internal structures defined by SNP clusters such as M67, M92, L26 (J2a) and M241 (J2b). J2-M172 serves as the foundational backbone linking these expansions.

J2a-L26
J2b-M12/M241
Basal J2* lineages

Notes & context