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Haplogroup Q-M848 (Amazonian Expansion Branch)

Q-M848 Amazonian lineage (Arawak–Tupi–Pano expansions)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

Q-M848

Formed (estimate)

c. 13,000–14,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 5,000–8,500 years ago

M848

Overview

The Amazonian branch of Q-M848 represents a major paternal radiation associated with the diversification of early tropical forest populations in the Amazon Basin. Its expansion aligns with Holocene demographic events linked to riverine mobility, horticulture, and the rise of large, interconnected cultural networks along the major Amazon tributaries. This lineage is strongly associated with Arawak, Tupi-Guarani and Panoan speaking groups.

Geographic distribution

High frequencies among Arawak, Tupi-Guarani, Pano, and Karib communities throughout Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Venezuela. Shows a clear correlation with river-based settlement patterns along the Amazon, Madeira, Tapajós and Xingu basins.

Ancient DNA

Ancient genomes from southwestern Amazonia align closely with M848-derived Amazonian branches.
The temporal window of diversification matches early ceramic traditions and horticultural expansions.
Distribution patterns indicate multiple waves of demographic expansion from core riverine populations.

Phylogeny & subclades

The Amazon cluster contains several shallow expanding branches corresponding to distinct river basin macro-groups. These clades demonstrate strong genetic drift due to small-scale founder events.

Arawak-centered cluster
Tupi-Guarani cluster
Panoan-Acre river cluster

Notes & context