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Haplogroup J2a-FGC17421

Macro-haplogroup
J
Parent clade
J2a-Z2227
Formed (estimate)
c. 7,200 to 9,300 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 2,500 to 3,600 years ago

Overview

J2a-FGC17421 is a downstream branch of J2a-Z2227 strongly associated with coastal and island populations of the eastern Mediterranean. Its earliest diversification corresponds to middle Holocene maritime communities distributed along the southwestern Anatolian coast, Cyprus and the Dodecanese islands. Archaeological correlates include early island-based farming villages, proto urban maritime centers and small-scale seafaring networks tied to obsidian, pottery and copper circulation. During the Bronze Age, FGC17421 bearing groups participated in the demographic systems linking Cyprus, the Aegean and the Levant, especially within metallurgical and redistributive economic networks. The clade's downstream microstructure shows pronounced island-centered founder effects and continuity in coastal populations into classical and Roman periods.

Geographic distribution

Most common in Cyprus, coastal Turkey and the Dodecanese; moderate in Crete and mainland Greece; lower in the Levant and Italy.

Ancient DNA

  • Bronze Age Cyprus individuals display upstream J2a variants aligned with FGC17421.
  • Aegean Bronze Age burials contain J2a signals consistent with this maritime lineage.
  • Southern Anatolian Bronze Age samples include paternal markers linked to the clade.
  • Classical era coastal cities preserve downstream FGC17421 subbranches.
  • Roman island populations show continuity with derived forms.

Phylogeny & subclades

A maritime oriented J2a-Z2227 branch dominated by island and coastal microclades.

  • FGC17421*
  • Cyprus island clusters
  • Southern Aegean derivatives

Notes & context

A representative island-centered lineage within J2a-Z2227 tied to Bronze Age maritime expansions.