Overview
N-Y4358 is a downstream subclade of N-Y16817, embedded within the early Z1941 Finnic backbone. Its phylogeny suggests that it arose during the early medieval population developments in eastern Finland and adjacent Karelia. While not as expansive as some downstream Z1939 clades, Y4358 marks a paternal lineage that persisted with modest diversification over the last millennium. Its timing overlaps with the formation of Proto-Karelian and early Savonian settlement structures, offering clues to the fine-scale differentiation of Finnic paternal ancestry.
Geographic distribution
Y4358 is most commonly found in eastern Finland and Karelia, with highest frequencies in North Karelia, the Savo lake district, and the Ladoga hinterland. Occasional appearances in central Finland and Sweden reflect later historical migration. The branch’s distribution aligns well with the medieval Finnic settlement belt spanning Saimaa–Ladoga regions.
Ancient DNA
- Upstream N-Z1941 ancestry is detected in Iron Age individuals from Finland and the eastern Baltic.
- Y4358’s divergence is consistent with archaeological periods of village stabilization in eastern Finland.
- Survival of multiple descendant lines suggests it was part of a stable early Finnic paternal layer.
Phylogeny & subclades
Y4358 appears as one of several structured descendant branches under N-Y16817. Its presence indicates diversification within the early Z1941 cluster prior to the heavier medieval founder events in downstream lineages. YFull resolves several small, parallel microbranches beneath Y4358.
- N-Y4358*
- Regional Finnish–Karelian microbranches
Notes & context
N-Y4358 helps define the early diversification inside Z1941 and is essential for fine-scale resolution of Karelia–Savo paternal structure.
References & external links