Overview
J2b-Z40211 is a downstream lineage of J2b-M241 with a demographic distribution centered on the southern Balkans, Aegean coastal regions and western Anatolia. Its origin corresponds to the expansion of early agricultural populations in the mid Holocene and the development of maritime cultural corridors along the Aegean. Archaeological settings associated with this lineage include late Neolithic Balkan settlements, Chalcolithic Aegean island communities and early Bronze Age coastal hubs.
During the Bronze Age, Z40211 bearing communities contributed to the population structure of the Mycenaean world, the Aegean island network and the Anatolian western seaboard. The downstream microclades reflect multiple coastal founder effects and continuity in maritime oriented communities throughout the Iron Age and classical periods.
Geographic distribution
Common in Greece, Albania and western Turkey; moderate in North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Cyprus; lower in southern Italy and the Levant.
Ancient DNA
- Neolithic and Chalcolithic Balkan individuals show J2b structures compatible with early Z40211.
- Aegean Bronze Age remains include upstream lineages connected to this branch.
- Western Anatolian Bronze Age burials show continuity with the clade.
- Iron Age Levantine samples contain downstream Z40211 derivatives.
- Classical Greek sites maintain Y-chromosome continuity aligning with Z40211.
Phylogeny & subclades
An Aegean and Balkan centered J2b branch with several coastal oriented downstream microclades.
- Z40211*
- Aegean coastal branches
- West Anatolian derivatives
Notes & context
An important J2b lineage marking Bronze Age and Iron Age demographic processes in the Aegean and southern Balkans.
References & external links