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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup N1a1a2

N1a1a2-CTS9976

Macro-haplogroup
K
Parent clade
N1a1a
Formed (estimate)
c. 9,000–11,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 4,000–5,500 years ago

Overview

N1a1a2 is a sister branch to N1a1a1 and represents a Volga Ural and northern Russian centered component of the N1a1a radiation. It likely formed among mid Holocene forest groups that maintained contact zones between the Volga Kama basin and northeastern Europe. While less frequent than N1a1a1 in modern populations, N1a1a2 holds an important position in the paternal ancestry of Volga Finnic and related Uralic speaking ethnic groups.

Geographic distribution

N1a1a2 appears at moderate frequencies among Komi, Mari, Udmurts and some northern Russian populations. It is also present in small amounts in Finland, Estonia and the Baltic states, often reflecting back migrations from the Volga region. Lower frequencies have been observed in western Siberia and among certain Ural related minorities in the Ural foothills.

Ancient DNA

  • Early Bronze Age individuals from the Volga and Kama archaeological cultures show N1a1a2 related haplotypes, indicating that this branch was already established when the first metal using societies emerged in the region.
  • Iron Age cemeteries associated with Finno Permic populations in the middle Volga and upper Kama basins contain N1a1a2 lineages, supporting the interpretation of this clade as a Volga Finnic oriented paternal signature.
  • Some medieval northern Russian burials in areas later associated with Slavic and Finnic mixed populations show N1a1a2, highlighting its integration into broader regional gene pools.

Phylogeny & subclades

N1a1a2 is defined by CTS9976 and related Z1941 cluster markers. Internal structure reveals at least two main subbranches, one more concentrated in Volga Finnic groups and another more widespread across northern Russia. The branch shows lower overall diversity than N1a1a1, consistent with a more localized founder effect.

  • N1a1a2a (Volga Finnic concentrated branch)
  • N1a1a2b (northern Russian and mixed Uralic Slavic branch)
  • Basal N1a1a2* lineages

Notes & context

N1a1a2 is particularly informative when distinguishing Volga Uralic paternal ancestry from Baltic Finnic ancestry at high resolution, especially in genetic genealogy projects and regional population studies.