Overview
Haplogroup T-L446 is a downstream branch of T-L208 and represents one of the main expansions of T within the Balkans, Italy and the Aegean. The lineage aligns closely with late Neolithic, Bronze Age and classical era maritime networks in the central and eastern Mediterranean. Archaeogenetic evidence suggests that T-L446 derived populations participated in demographic processes linking the Levant and Aegean with southern Europe. The internal branching of L446 reflects several region-specific founder effects that shaped its present distribution.
Geographic distribution
T-L446 is common in Italy, especially in Lazio, Campania, Calabria and Sicily. It is well represented in Greece, Crete and the Aegean islands. The western Balkans, including Albania and coastal North Macedonia, show notable frequencies. Sporadic occurrences in the Levant and Cyprus reflect earlier maritime links. Bulgaria and Romania display trace levels through historical movements.
Ancient DNA
- Bronze Age Aegean individuals show genetic affinities consistent with early L446 lineages.
- Italian Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeological contexts reveal paternal contributions compatible with L446 derived branches.
- Phoenician and other seafaring cultures likely mediated later movements of L446 across the Mediterranean.
Phylogeny & subclades
T-L446 contains several microclades associated with Italy, the Balkans and the Aegean region. The phylogeny is shaped by maritime founder events and localized expansions within southern Europe. Some derived branches show strong clustering in specific Italian regions.
- T-L446*
- Italian L446 clusters
- Balkan L446 microclades
Notes & context
T-L446 is one of the most Mediterranean-enriched T subclades and is essential for reconstructing maritime and agricultural dispersal events during the Holocene.
References & external links