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Y-DNA Haplogroup Atlas

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Haplogroup S-P202

S-P202 (YFull S1a1)

Macro-haplogroup
S
Parent clade
S-M254
Formed (estimate)
c. 35,000–45,000 years before present
TMRCA (estimate)
c. 20,000–30,000 years ago

Overview

Haplogroup S-P202 is the dominant branch of S-M254 and represents the principal paternal ancestry of the Papuan Highlands. Its distribution aligns closely with long-term settlement of high-altitude valleys, where stable climates and abundant resources supported continuous human occupation for at least 15,000 years. S-P202 is integral to understanding how early Sahul populations diversified after the initial coastal entry routes. Over time, S-P202 underwent significant internal branching, driven by geographic barriers and limited inter-valley mobility, producing highly structured local lineages.

Geographic distribution

S-P202 reaches exceptionally high frequencies in the Central Range of New Guinea, including Enga, Chimbu, Southern Highlands and Eastern Highlands provinces. It also appears in the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville and select islands in the Solomon chain. Low frequencies in West Papua reflect ancient eastward expansions predating the Holocene. The clade is absent outside Oceania except for isolated cases linked to recent mobility.

Ancient DNA

  • Highland New Guinea archaeological sites dated to 6,000–10,000 years before present contain individuals whose genomic profiles align with S-P202 derived ancestry.
  • Comparative studies indicate continuity between ancient horticultural communities in the Wahgi and Tari valleys and modern S-P202 carriers.
  • Ancient genome analyses suggest that S-P202 reflects one of the earliest highland-adapted paternal lineages in Sahul.

Phylogeny & subclades

S-P202 contains two major subclades: S-M230 and S-Y28857. S-M230 is the largest, with many downstream branches, while S-Y28857 includes localized highland clusters. The high internal structure is consistent with valley-by-valley differentiation over thousands of years. Ongoing sequencing continues to reveal additional microclades with narrow geographic ranges.

  • S-M230
  • S-Y28857
  • S-P202* residual lineages

Notes & context

S-P202 illustrates how topographic complexity shaped Papuan paternal diversity. Its distribution remains one of the clearest examples of microregional divergence in human population genetics.