Overview
J2b-Z42831 is a downstream derivative of the J2b-M241 radiation with a demographic core spanning the southern Balkans, Aegean islands and western Anatolia. Its early formation aligns with late Neolithic and Chalcolithic societies that established complex settlement networks centered on mixed farming, coastal resource gathering and maritime interactions linking the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean basins.
By the Bronze Age, Z42831 bearing populations were part of the broader Aegean cultural sphere, including Mycenaean coastal settlements, island-based polities and western Anatolia's proto urban maritime hubs. Subclade structure indicates diversification across Aegean islands, southern Balkan river systems and coastal Anatolia. Iron Age and classical period genetic profiles from the region show patterns matching expected downstream elements of this lineage, highlighting long-term continuity along maritime and riverine networks.
Geographic distribution
Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, western Turkey; minor presence in Italy, Cyprus and coastal Montenegro.
Ancient DNA
- Neolithic Balkan individuals show J2b-M241 variation consistent with early ancestry of this clade.
- Aegean Bronze Age samples contain J2b components aligned with the phylogenetic position of Z42831.
- Western Anatolian Bronze Age individuals preserve upstream J2b lineages connected to this cluster.
- Iron Age Aegean island communities maintain downstream signatures matching the lineage.
- Classical Greek coastal populations show paternal profiles consistent with long term continuity.
Phylogeny & subclades
An Aegean and southern Balkan oriented J2b-M241 branch with microbranches distributed across islands, coasts and river valleys.
- Z42831*
- Aegean microbranches
- Southern Balkan derivatives
Notes & context
Z42831 is crucial for reconstructing the demographic links across the southern Balkans and Aegean basin.
References & external links