Overview
Basal N* represents the earliest phase of haplogroup N after its divergence from NO-M214. Individuals classified as N* carry M231 but lack the defining downstream mutations of N1 and N2. These extremely rare basal lineages are crucial for reconstructing the initial expansion of northern Eurasian paternal lineages during the Late Pleistocene, providing insight into pre-Holocene demographic patterns.
Geographic distribution
N* is attested only at extremely low frequency in scattered northern Eurasian populations, including isolated individuals from Siberia, the Urals, and the Arctic fringe. Its rarity suggests that most early N branches either went extinct or were absorbed by later expansions.
Ancient DNA
- A minority of ancient north Eurasian genomes possess N-M231 but cannot be placed into N1 or N2, consistent with basal N*.
- These basal signatures appear in Upper Paleolithic and early Holocene contexts across the Siberian forest zone.
Phylogeny & subclades
N* sits directly at the root of haplogroup N and precedes all known N1 and N2 branches.
Notes & context
References & external links