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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup Q-L330b

Q-L330b (Sayan–Upper Yenisei branch)

Macro-haplogroup
Q
Parent clade
Q-L330
Formed (estimate)
c. 9,000–11,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 4,000–6,000 years ago

Overview

Q-L330b forms the Sayan–Upper Yenisei–centered sibling branch to L330a and corresponds to early population structures in the forest-steppe zones surrounding the Sayan mountains. Its distribution reflects the demographic continuity of early Bronze Age cultures interacting along northern trade and mobility corridors.

Geographic distribution

Common among Khakas, Shor and Tuvan populations. Also detected among some northern Altai groups and Yenisei-adjacent communities.

Ancient DNA

  • Ancient individuals from the Sayan and upper Yenisei regions contain paternal signatures compatible with L330b-level ancestry.
  • Temporal patterns match mid-Holocene cultural sequences associated with forest-steppe pastoralists.
  • Its distribution highlights long-term continuity between Sayan plateau populations and early Yeniseian and Turkic expansions.

Phylogeny & subclades

L330b exhibits multiple parallel small subclusters characteristic of regional drift in narrow ecological zones.

  • Q-L330b*

Notes & context

This lineage is crucial for mapping paternal continuity between ancient Sayan groups and later Turkic-speaking populations.