A · A1 · A1b · A1b1 · BT · CT · CF · F · K · K2 · P · R · R1 · R1a · R-M417 · R-Z93
R1a-Z93
R-Z93 is the sister branch of R-Z282 under R-M417 and represents the main Asian centered expansion of R1a. It is strongly associated with populations of the Eurasian steppe and with many Indo Iranian speaking groups in Central and South Asia. Z93 likely formed in an eastern part of the Pontic Caspian steppe or in adjacent steppe and forest steppe zones and later spread widely through Bronze Age and early Iron Age migrations.
R-Z93 is common in Central Asia, South Asia, Iran, the Caucasus and parts of western Siberia. It is found at high frequencies in many Indo Iranian speaking populations, including Pashtuns, some Iranian groups, north Indian and Pakistani populations and several Central Asian ethnicities. It also appears in some Turkic speaking groups due to admixture and historical interactions on the steppe.
Under R-M417, Z93 stands opposite Z282. Z93 itself divides into several major clusters, including R-Z2124 and R-L657, among others. These internal branches show distinct geographic patterns, with some subclades heavily represented in South Asia and others more common in Central Asia or Iran. The overall tree structure points to a complex history of expansions, bottlenecks and regional founder events.
R-Z93 is a key lineage for understanding the genetic history of Indo Iranian speaking populations and the demographic impact of steppe migrations into Asia. However, the lineage is also present in non Indo Iranian groups, reminding us that languages and genes can follow different paths.