Overview
N2 is the rare sister branch of N1 and represents an ancient paternal lineage that survived at low frequency across northern Eurasia. While dramatically less common than N1, N2 is phylogenetically significant because it preserves early-diverging structure from the initial radiation of haplogroup N. Its prehistoric distribution was likely scattered across northeastern China, central Siberia and parts of the Altai–Baikal region, where small foraging groups contributed to the region’s genetic mosaic.
Geographic distribution
Modern N2 lineages occur at very low frequencies across central Asia, northern China, Tibet, eastern Siberia and sporadically in eastern Europe. Small clusters are documented among northern Mongolic groups, certain Tungusic populations and isolated communities in western Siberia.
Ancient DNA
- Baikal and Transbaikal prehistoric individuals show N2-like ancestry signatures in trace amounts.
- Some early Neolithic genomes from northern China contain markers compatible with basal N2 variation.
- Low-frequency N2 signals appear in archaeological contexts associated with early Amur Basin cultures.
Phylogeny & subclades
N2 is divided into several small downstream branches, including N2a and N2b, which reflect localized expansions in Siberia and East Asia. Overall the branch shows limited diversity, consistent with long-term population size reduction.
Notes & context
Despite its rarity, N2 provides key information on the earliest movements and structure of northern Eurasian populations during the late Upper Paleolithic.
References & external links