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Haplogroup N-M128

N-M128 (rare East Asian N2 lineage)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

N2-LLY22g

Formed (estimate)

c. 10,000–12,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 7,000–9,000 years ago

M128

Overview

N-M128 is a rare but phylogenetically important branch of Haplogroup N2. Although it represents only a small fraction of modern N descendants, it preserves an ancient genetic signal associated with early Holocene populations of northern China, the Yellow River basin and parts of Inner Mongolia. M128-bearing groups reflect some of the earliest expansions of N outside the core Siberian homeland, making the lineage significant for reconstructing prehistoric movements along the eastern edge of the Eurasian steppe corridor.

Geographic distribution

Today N-M128 is found at low frequencies among Han Chinese, Hui, Manchu, Korean and Japanese populations. Its distribution is patchy but consistent with ancient migrations and admixture among early East Asian agricultural and proto-state societies. Traces also appear in Mongolia and the Amur region.

Ancient DNA

Upstream N2 ancestry is present in Neolithic northern China.
The age of M128 aligns with early millet-farming expansions of the Yellow River basin.
The lineage remained small in effective population size, preserving a relic distribution.

Phylogeny & subclades

M128 represents an early diverging branch within N2 that survived independently of the dominant N2a and N2b radiations. Its deep time-depth makes it a key reference point for reconstructing the early geographic spread of Haplogroup N.

N-M128*

Notes & context