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A · BT · CT · CF · J · J2-M172 · J2b-M12 · J2b-M241

Haplogroup J2b-M241

J2b1

Macro-haplogroup
J
Parent clade
J2b-M12
Formed (estimate)
c. 15,000–18,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 12,000–14,000 years ago

Overview

J2b-M241 is the principal expansion branch of haplogroup J2b, representing widespread male-mediated dispersals across the Balkans, the Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean, and parts of South Asia. This clade is strongly associated with Bronze Age mobility, including movements linked to the Adriatic–Balkan cultural sphere and Indo-Iranian expansions into the Indian subcontinent.

Geographic distribution

High present-day frequencies occur in the Balkans, Greece, Albania, coastal Anatolia, the Levant, and northwest India/Pakistan. Secondary distributions appear throughout Central Asia. Its spread pattern reflects multiple migration waves, including Chalcolithic and Bronze Age expansions.

Ancient DNA

  • Several Bronze Age Balkan individuals belong to M241-derived branches, showing its involvement in regional population shifts.
  • Iron Age and Classical period eastern Mediterranean populations contain diverse J2b-M241 lineages.
  • South Asian Bronze and Iron Age material has revealed M241-derived subclades associated with Indo-Iranian movements.

Phylogeny & subclades

J2b-M241 forms the major backbone of all downstream J2b sublineages, including the well-known L283 (European-associated) and Z2432 (South Asian-associated) branches. Its structure highlights a complex web of expansions radiating from West Asia into both Europe and South Asia.

  • J2b-L283
  • J2b-Z2432
  • Basal J2b-M241*

Notes & context

This node is required because more than 50 entries in your dataset list it as their parent. Without this backbone, the J2b subtree remains structurally incomplete.