Overview
J2b-Z42744 is a downstream lineage of the J2b-M241 radiation with a demographic focus extending across the southern Balkans, Aegean basin and western Anatolia. Its early development corresponds to the late Neolithic–Chalcolithic building of coastal settlements, river-valley agricultural villages and pre-Bronze Age maritime networks connecting the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean coasts.
During the Bronze Age, Z42744-associated groups likely participated in the Aegean cultural sphere, including Mycenaean coastal centers, island-based political systems and early Anatolian maritime hubs. Its phylogenetic microstructure displays clustering tied to specific Balkan river systems, Aegean island communities and western Anatolian coastal zones. Iron Age and classical populations from the region maintain J2b lineages fitting the expected footprint of this clade, indicating deep continuity across the maritime corridors of the southern Balkans and Aegean world.
Geographic distribution
Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, western Turkey; present at low levels in Italy, Cyprus and coastal Montenegro.
Ancient DNA
- Neolithic individuals from the Balkans show J2b-M241 variation consistent with basal Z42744.
- Aegean Bronze Age genomes contain J2b signals aligned with its relative phylogenetic position.
- Western Anatolian Bronze Age settlements preserve upstream J2b lineages connected to this clade.
- Iron Age Aegean islanders carry downstream markers suggesting continuity of Z42744.
- Classical Greek coastal communities display paternal profiles compatible with this clade’s distribution.
Phylogeny & subclades
A southern Balkan and Aegean oriented J2b-M241 branch defined by microclades on islands, coasts and river systems.
- Z42744*
- Aegean island derivatives
- Southern Balkan microbranches
Notes & context
Z42744 is an important lineage for understanding maritime mobility and demographic continuity across the Aegean–Balkan–Anatolian interaction zone.
References & external links