Overview
N1a (M178) is the predominant paternal lineage of Uralic-speaking populations and one of the most important branches of haplogroup N. Emerging during the late Paleolithic or early Holocene, N1a expanded westward across Siberia and into northeastern Europe. Its spread is closely tied to the dispersion of early Uralic speakers, forest-zone foragers and later Bronze Age cultures of the Volga–Ural–Baltic region. The deep diversification of N1a reflects long periods of localized evolution across northern Eurasia.
Geographic distribution
Highest frequencies occur in Finns, Estonians, Karelians, Saami, Komi, Mari and Udmurt populations. Significant levels occur in northern Russia, western Siberia and among some Baltic groups.
Ancient DNA
- Early Mesolithic genomes from Karelia and the Russian Forest Zone show N1a-related lineages.
- Bronze Age Uralic-associated individuals reveal downstream branches such as N1a1a.
- Ancient Yakut and Siberian populations contain parallel, early-diverging N1a microclades.
Phylogeny & subclades
N1a divides into several substantial branches including N1a1 (widespread in Europe), N1a2 (Siberian/Amur) and N1a3 (rare, northern Eurasian).
Notes & context
N1a is the key paternal lineage defining the spread of Uralic languages and the demography of northeastern Europe.
References & external links