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Haplogroup R1a-Y2613

Macro-haplogroup
R
Parent clade
R1a-Y33
Formed (estimate)
c. 3,800 - 4,200 years before present (estimate)
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 2,600 - 3,200 years ago (estimate)

Overview

R1a-Y2613 is one of the principal subbranches of R1a-Y33 and plays a crucial role in the paternal history of eastern European populations. The lineage emerged during the Bronze Age among communities inhabiting regions between the Vistula basin, the Baltic hinterland and the upper Dnieper territories. Archaeological sites connected to this period show fortified settlements, metalworking workshops and regional trade networks that linked Y33 and Y2613 ancestors to wider Balto-Slavic cultural transformations. During the Iron Age, Y2613 lineages became involved in the formation of early Baltic and proto Slavic cultures. Its presence in hillfort complexes, forest zone communities and mixed agricultural populations reflects broad social integration. With the rise of Slavic tribal confederations in the early medieval period, Y2613 experienced significant demographic expansion. It formed multiple founder clusters that spread throughout Poland, Belarus and western Russia. The lineage is especially tied to the ancestry of groups inhabiting the Pripet marsh region, which is widely considered an important homeland for early Slavs. Today, Y2613 remains a key lineage for understanding internal variation within the Balto-Slavic paternal structure. Its wide presence highlights deep demographic continuity in eastern Europe.

Geographic distribution

R1a-Y2613 occurs at high frequencies in Belarus, Poland and western Russia. It is also common in Lithuania, Latvia and northern Ukraine. Moderate frequencies are found in Czechia, Slovakia and northeastern Germany. Small but persistent clusters exist in the Balkans due to medieval Slavic migrations.

Ancient DNA

  • Bronze Age individuals from the Vistula basin show early haplotypes ancestral to Y2613.
  • Baltic Iron Age hillfort samples carry downstream Y2613 substructure.
  • Early Slavic burials in Poland and Belarus reveal numerous Y2613 derived lineages.
  • Forest zone Iron Age individuals in western Russia exhibit haplotypes mapping to the Y2613 phylogenetic region.
  • Medieval sites associated with the Krivich and Dregovich tribes contain significant Y2613 frequencies.

Phylogeny & subclades

Y2613 includes several deeply structured branches such as YP470 and Y2619. The internal organization reflects Bronze Age diversification and multiple Iron Age founder effects. Many subclusters show strong regional associations, particularly in Belarus and Poland.

  • R1a-YP470
  • R1a-Y2619
  • Additional Y33 derived microbranches

Notes & context

R1a-Y2613 provides high resolution insight into Balto-Slavic population formation, especially for medieval Slavic ethnogenesis.