F · K · K2 · T-M184 · T-M70 · T-L131

Haplogroup T-L131

T-L131 (YFull T1a2)

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

T-M70

Formed (estimate)

c. 15,000–25,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 6,000–10,000 years ago

L131

Overview

Haplogroup T-L131 is a major T-M70 subclade with strong representation in Iran, the Caucasus and South Asia. Its branching patterns indicate early diversification associated with pastoralist and agro-pastoral communities in the Iranian Plateau and surrounding regions. The lineage expanded during the late Neolithic and Bronze Age, paralleling demographic networks that connected Iran, Mesopotamia, the Indus Basin and the South Caucasus. T-L131 also appears in pockets of Arabia and East Africa due to later historic movements.

Geographic distribution

T-L131 reaches its highest frequencies in Iran, including Fars, Kermanshah and Mazandaran. It is also found in the Caucasus, especially Armenia and Georgia. South Asia shows notable frequencies in Pakistan, northwest India and Gujarat. The Arabian Peninsula, including Yemen and Oman, hosts moderate levels. Occasional occurrences appear in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Ancient DNA

Ancient Iranian individuals from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods show ancestry profiles overlapping with modern T-L131 carriers.
Indus Valley related ancient genomes show paternal affinities consistent with early L131 expansions.
Bronze Age Caucasus individuals display markers linked to T-L131 regional clusters.

Phylogeny & subclades

T-L131 includes several branches such as T-Y8614 and T-BY15484, with geographic clustering in Iran, the Caucasus and South Asia. The phylogeny reflects repeated demographic pulses associated with pastoralism and early trade networks spanning the Iranian Plateau and the Indus region.

T-Y8614
T-BY15484
Regional L131 microclades

Notes & context