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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup R1a-YP340

Macro-haplogroup
R
Parent clade
R1a-YP237
Formed (estimate)
c. 3,800 - 4,200 years before present (estimate)
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 2,600 - 3,200 years ago (estimate)

Overview

R1a-YP340 is one of the major branches under R1a-YP237 and forms a significant part of the paternal ancestry of eastern Slavic and Baltic populations. The lineage originated during the Bronze Age within communities occupying the western Dnieper and Pripet marsh regions, areas known for early fortified settlements, ritual sites and dense cultural interactions between forest and steppe populations. During the Iron Age, YP340 lineages belonged to early Baltic and Slavic tribal groups. These communities developed distinct regional identities and hillfort structures across Lithuania, Belarus and northern Ukraine. The lineage diversified heavily during the early medieval Slavic expansion, forming numerous regional founder clusters embedded in the ancestry of populations linked to early Rus, Krivich, Volhynian and Polotsk tribal formations. Today, YP340 plays a central role in understanding the paternal structure of eastern Slavs and their interactions with Baltic and Finnic populations.

Geographic distribution

R1a-YP340 is most frequent in Belarus and western Russia. High levels also appear in Lithuania and Latvia, with moderate frequencies in Poland and Ukraine. Smaller clusters are found in Estonia and Finland due to ancient contact zones.

Ancient DNA

  • Iron Age Baltic tribes contain early YP340 lineages.
  • Zarubintsy and related cultural complexes in Ukraine show YP237 and YP340 derived haplotypes.
  • Medieval Rus burials from northeastern Europe reveal strong YP340 representation.
  • Forest zone Iron Age individuals from Russia display ancestral YP340 diversity.
  • Baltic hillfort populations show continuity with YP340 related subclades.

Phylogeny & subclades

YP340 includes multiple internal branches, including YP341, YP479 and several region-specific microclusters. These structures reflect numerous founder events during the Slavic and Baltic expansions of the first millennium AD.

  • R1a-YP341
  • R1a-YP479
  • Additional Balto-Slavic microbranches

Notes & context

YP340 is essential for understanding medieval eastern European population dynamics, especially among proto Slavic and Baltic tribes.