Overview
J2a-Y17352 is a highland-oriented lineage within the J2a-M67 radiation and is strongly tied to the long-term demographic history of eastern Anatolia, the Armenian highlands and the northern fringes of Mesopotamia. Its formation aligns with the early Holocene emergence of stable upland agricultural systems, where early farming and herding communities developed durable ecological adaptations.
During the Bronze Age, Y17352 became integrated into regional highland cultural systems associated with fortified settlements, early specialization in metalworking and mountain corridor trade networks. The lineage diversified into multiple microbranches confined to specific upland valleys and plateau-edge regions. Iron Age and classical populations continued to show strong continuity with these microregional derivatives, reflecting long-term settlement stability.
Geographic distribution
Armenia, eastern Turkey, northwest Iran, northern Iraq; low frequency in Georgia and northern Syria.
Ancient DNA
- Bronze Age Armenian plateau individuals display upstream J2a signals consistent with Y17352 ancestry.
- Chalcolithic Upper Tigris individuals show paternal markers compatible with ancestral branches of the clade.
- Eastern Anatolian Bronze Age sites contain upstream J2a-M67 variants tied to the lineage.
- Iron Age upland populations exhibit downstream components.
- Classical highland communities preserve microbranch continuity.
Phylogeny & subclades
A structured upland J2a-M67 lineage with deep diversification across the Armenian and eastern Anatolian highlands.
- Y17352*
- Armenian plateau subbranches
- Upper Tigris highland clades
Notes & context
Y17352 is essential for reconstructing upland settlement continuity and highland ecological specialization.
References & external links