A · BT · CT · F · K · K2 · K2b · NO · O · O2 · O2-M122 · O2a-M324

Haplogroup O2a-M324

O2a-M324 (early Sino-Tibetan root)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

O2-M122

Formed (estimate)

c. 20,000–25,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 10,000–12,000 years ago

M324

Overview

O2a-M324 forms one of the principal branches emerging from O2-M122 and represents an early paternal component of the Sino-Tibetan language family. This clade is associated with populations of the Yellow River basin, where early millet cultivation and the first complex Neolithic societies developed. O2a-M324 marks a major divergence event preceding the dramatic demographic growth that later shaped northeastern Asian and Sino-Tibetan paternal lineages.

Geographic distribution

Found widely among the Han Chinese, Tibetans, Yi, Lahu, Qiang, and many other Sino-Tibetan groups. It also appears in Vietnam, Thailand and Laos due to southward migrations during both prehistoric and historic periods.

Ancient DNA

Neolithic Yellow River cultures (Yangshao, Houli, Majiayao) display upstream O2 ancestry.
Ancient DNA from northern China carries early O2a-related signals consistent with millet-farmer expansions.
Coalescent dates align with the development of early agricultural settlements.

Phylogeny & subclades

O2a-M324 forms the broader parent for several key downstream clusters, including O2a2b1-M134 and the F5 megapolymorphism. Its diversity reflects early population differentiation across northern China.

O2a1
O2a2
O2a*

Notes & context