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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup R-Z280

R1a-Z280

Macro-haplogroup
R
Parent clade
R-Z282
Formed (estimate)
c. 5,500 - 6,500 years before present (estimate)
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 3,500 - 4,500 years ago (estimate)

Overview

R-Z280 is a major subclade under R-Z282 and forms one of the most common R1a lineages in eastern and northeastern Europe. It is closely linked to early Corded Ware and related groups and later became deeply integrated into Balto Slavic populations. The formation of Z280 corresponds to a phase in which steppe derived groups were expanding into the forest and forest steppe zones of eastern Europe, mixing with local foraging and early farming communities.

Geographic distribution

R-Z280 is especially frequent in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states. It also appears at notable frequencies in Finland and parts of Scandinavia, reflecting contacts between Uralic and Indo European speakers and later historical movements. Lower frequencies exist in central Europe, including Germany and the Czech Republic, and in some Balkan and Carpathian populations.

Ancient DNA

  • Corded Ware and Trzciniec associated burials in eastern and central Europe include males with Z280 derived haplogroups, demonstrating that this lineage was already prominent during the Bronze Age.
  • Iron Age and early medieval remains from Baltic and Slavic regions show continuity of Z280 lineages, supporting long term local persistence.
  • Some early medieval individuals from the Viking Age and related contexts in the Baltic Sea region also carry Z280 subclades, fitting with known population contacts.

Phylogeny & subclades

Within R-Z282, Z280 is one of the main trunks alongside M458. Z280 further splits into several internal branches that are geographically structured, including clusters that are more frequent in the Baltic region, eastern Slavic lands or central eastern Europe. Whole Y sequencing has revealed many younger subclades that can distinguish regional founder events and clan level histories.

  • Multiple Baltic centered subclades
  • Eastern Slavic regional lineages
  • Scandinavian and Finnish enriched branches

Notes & context

R-Z280 is an important marker for the paternal history of Balto Slavic and some Uralic associated populations. Its geographic distribution mirrors many known archaeological and linguistic zones in eastern and northeastern Europe.