Overview
J2a-CTS900 is an important branch belonging to the J2a-Z6065 cluster and shows strong links to the geographical triangle formed by eastern Turkey, northwest Iran and the Armenian highlands. Its formation corresponds to a developmental stage in the early Holocene when highland populations were establishing permanent settlements, exchanging obsidian and developing herd management practices that complemented early cereal cultivation. During the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages, CTS900 bearing groups appear to have been integrated into the cultural networks associated with the Kura Araxes and Upper Tigris cultural zones. These groups participated in trans highland movement corridors, metallurgical networks and cultural exchanges that connected highland polities with northern Mesopotamian centers. The demographic signals in this lineage suggest expansions tied to fortified settlement growth, early metal production and cultural interactions crossing the Armenian highlands and the Iranian Plateau.
Geographic distribution
Highest frequencies are found in eastern Turkey, Iranian Azerbaijan, Armenia and parts of Georgia. Medium frequencies appear in northern Iraq and western Iran. Lower levels in the Levant, Cyprus and central Anatolia reflect population movements associated with Bronze Age interaction networks.
Ancient DNA
- Chalcolithic Armenian and eastern Anatolian samples show J2a lineages aligned with early CTS900 diversification.
- Bronze Age highland remains across the Armenian plateau present J2a structures consistent with CTS900.
- Upper Tigris Bronze Age individuals contain J2a variants that fall within CTS900 related branches.
- Iron Age contexts in the Caucasus demonstrate continued presence of CTS900 derived lineages.
- Classical and medieval Armenian highland populations exhibit paternal continuity with CTS900.
Phylogeny & subclades
CTS900 forms a cohesive highland oriented branch under Z6065 with multiple downstream lines corresponding to regional clusters in the Armenian highlands and northwest Iran. The phylogeny reflects an upland diversification pattern with strong regional persistence.
- CTS900* basal highland form
- Armenian plateau microbranches
- Iranian Azerbaijan derived lines
- Upper Tigris downstream clusters
Notes & context
J2a-CTS900 is central to reconstructing the highland demographic history of Anatolia, the Caucasus and western Iran.
References & external links