Overview
J2b-Z63104 is a downstream branch of J2b-M241 with a demographic core extending across the southern Balkans, western Anatolia and the Aegean coastal zone. Its formation corresponds to mid Holocene expansions of Balkan farming groups and early maritime cultural networks along the Aegean seaboard. Archaeological associations include late Neolithic Balkan settlements, Aegean Chalcolithic coastal sites and proto urban centers emerging in western Anatolia. During the Bronze Age and early Iron Age, Z63104 populations formed part of demographic streams tied to Mycenaean mobility, eastern Adriatic interaction networks and Aegean maritime linkage zones. The clade exhibits notable regional founder effects and persistent presence in coastal Balkan and Aegean communities.
Geographic distribution
Highest in Greece, Albania and coastal Turkey; moderate in Macedonia, Cyprus and the Levant; lower levels in Italy, the Adriatic and the Caucasus.
Ancient DNA
- Late Neolithic Balkan individuals show J2b variants aligning with basal Z63104.
- Aegean Bronze Age samples contain J2b signatures compatible with upstream structure.
- Bronze Age western Anatolian individuals include paternal markers tied to Z63104.
- Iron Age Levantine samples present downstream segments of this clade.
- Classical Greece and Aegean communities show continuity with Z63104 derived branches.
Phylogeny & subclades
A Balkan and Aegean centered J2b branch with multiple microclades tied to coastal populations and cross Aegean mobility.
- Z63104*
- Aegean coastal clusters
- Western Anatolian derivatives
Notes & context
A key lineage for reconstructing demographic and maritime interactions between the Balkans and Anatolia.
References & external links