Overview
R1a1a is the major macro-branch responsible for nearly all of the global distribution of R1a today. It originated likely during the Late Upper Paleolithic or early Mesolithic period. Over thousands of years, R1a1a developed into a lineage that played a defining role in the spread of Indo-European languages, Bronze Age steppe cultures and expansive population movements.
R1a1a is especially notable for its central role in the genetic formation of the Corded Ware culture in Europe and the Sintashta–Andronovo complex in the Eurasian steppe. These groups contributed significantly to population transformations across Europe, Central Asia and South Asia. The lineage’s internal diversification produced major branches such as Z645, which would become the root of both the European Z283 lineage and the Asian Z93 lineage.
Geographic distribution
R1a1a is widely distributed across Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Central Asia and South Asia. Its presence reflects multiple expansions, including those associated with Indo-European migrations. High frequencies appear in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, northern India and Pakistan.
Ancient DNA
- Corded Ware individuals show strong representation of R1a1a derivatives.
- Sintashta and Andronovo samples overwhelmingly carry R1a1a-Z93.
- Early Vedic and Indo-Aryan lineages in South Asia show R1a1a-Z93 ancestry.
- Some Scandinavian Late Neolithic individuals contain early R1a1a lineages.
Phylogeny & subclades
R1a1a subdivides quickly into R1a1a1 (Z645), the most consequential branch. Z645 contains the entire Z283 (European) and Z93 (Asian) expansions.
Notes & context
R1a1a is the key lineage behind the steppe-related demographic transformations of the Bronze Age.
References & external links