Overview
J2a-Z7585 is a significant subbranch within J2a-M67 with a demographic focus on the northern Mesopotamian plains, the eastern Anatolian highlands and the northwestern Zagros foothills. Its formation corresponds to early Holocene expansions of agro pastoral communities settling around the Upper Tigris, Upper Euphrates and adjacent upland basins. Archaeological parallels include early dry farming settlements, obsidian circulation networks and proto fortified villages of eastern Anatolia and northern Mesopotamia. During the Bronze Age, Z7585 bearing groups were incorporated into cultural complexes linked to the spread of metallurgy, long range pastoral mobility and interregional trade routes connecting Anatolia, the South Caucasus and northern Mesopotamia. Its downstream structure indicates localized upland continuity along with repeated demographic pulses that accompanied the rise of Bronze Age towns and Iron Age highland polities.
Geographic distribution
Modern Z7585 frequencies peak in southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northwest Iran and Armenia. Moderate frequencies occur in Syria, Georgia and the northern Levant. Lower frequencies in central Anatolia and western Iran represent secondary movements connected to Bronze and Iron Age cultural networks.
Ancient DNA
- Chalcolithic Upper Tigris samples show J2a patterns consistent with early Z7585 ancestors.
- Bronze Age eastern Anatolian individuals include J2a signatures aligned with upstream Z7585.
- Armenian highland Bronze Age remains present lineages falling within Z7585 related space.
- Iron Age northern Mesopotamian individuals show J2a profiles consistent with downstream Z7585.
- Classical and medieval upland communities maintain continuity with Z7585 lineage clusters.
Phylogeny & subclades
Z7585 contains several highland oriented branches that reflect Bronze Age expansions into the eastern Anatolian and Zagros uplands. Its phylogeny shows structured diversification tied to upland lowland transition zones.
- Z7585* basal upland form
- Upper Tigris microbranches
- Armenian highland derived lines
- Northwest Iranian transitional clusters
Notes & context
J2a-Z7585 is important for reconstructing prehistoric and early historic demographic links across northern Mesopotamia and adjoining highlands.
References & external links