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Haplogroup Q-Y2816

Q-Y2816 (Northeastern / Great Lakes expansion lineage)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

Q-Z780

Formed (estimate)

c. 14,000–16,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 6,000–9,000 years ago

Y2816

Overview

Q-Y2816 is a downstream subclade of Q-Z780 that represents a key paternal lineage involved in the demographic formation of northeastern North American groups. It diversified during the middle Holocene and is strongly linked to the Great Lakes, Eastern Woodlands and parts of the Northeast cultural regions. Its branching pattern reflects localized founder effects and sustained regional continuity.

Geographic distribution

Common among northeastern Algonquian-speaking groups, including Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Eastern Cree. Also appears in Great Lakes populations and some interior northeastern communities.

Ancient DNA

Ancient DNA from northeastern North America exhibits signals consistent with Y2816-level ancestry.
The TMRCA corresponds to mid-Holocene cultural expansions in the Eastern Woodlands.
Distribution parallels archaeological sequences tied to Archaic and early Woodland cultures.

Phylogeny & subclades

Forms one of the major Z780-derived clusters specific to northeastern North America. Distinct from Z781 (interior) and Z782 (northern/coastal).

Q-Y2816*

Notes & context