Y-Haplogroup J1 – Caucasus, North Africa, Southern Europe, Arabs, Jews

Haplogroup J1

Y-DNA haplogroup J1 (M267), is a major subclade of Major Haplogroup J (M304), along with its sibling clade Y-DNA haplogroup J2 (M172). This haplogroup is found in high frequencies of males in or near the Middle East region, and parts of the Caucasus, with minor instances in Sudan and Ethiopia. It is also highly frequent in parts of North Africa and Southern Europe. It also extends much less commonly, but still in significant amounts, across Europe, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent.

Origins

Since the discovery of major haplogroup J, it has been observed to show signs of in or near West Asia origins. The frequency and diversity of its 2 major subclades, J1 and J2 in that region also makes them genetic marker candidates to the spread of farming technology during the Neolithic Era. Often proposed to have had a major influence on human populations.

Distribution

Africa

North Africa and Horn of Africa
North Africa has its fair share of Semitic migrations, hence the frequency of this major subclade. However, according to some studies, it is reported to have been diffused by Arabs who expanded into North Africa from the 7th century AD.
However, in the Canary Islands, there is no Semitic influence known and haplogroup J1 is represented by its minor subclade J1-P58 and dispersed unevenly. In Ethiopia, there are signs of older movements of J1 into Africa across the Red Sea. This, however, is associated with Semitic influence both culture and languages. In a study done in 2011, in Tunisia, J1 was found to be more abundant. These results could as a result of Arabization in Tunisia, which was a military-wise enterprise that subsequently displaced the native Berbers to geographically marginal areas but these Arabs frequently married Berber women.
Asia

South Asia

In this region, this major subclade is found in high frequency in males of the subcontinent of India

West Asia

The area, also including eastern Turkey and the Taurus and Zagros mountains, has been identified to possess ancient J1 diversity.
The Arabian Peninsula, Qatar, Yemen and Saudi Arabia are the most populated regions with this haplogroup

Europe

In Europe, particularly in North and Central Europe, this Haplogroup J1 (M267) is rare. It is found in significant pocket levels of 5-10% in Southern Europe populations in Malta, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgari, Romania, Italy, Sicily and Provence. Also in Russia, Croatia Albania. Instances have been reported in Portugal as well.

Caucasus Region

The Caucasus has both high and low frequencies of this haplogroup. The various subclades under this haplogroup include: J-P58 (Uncommon among the J1haplogroup holders). J-M368

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Categories: J

Tags: Caucasian, Jewish, Middle East, Turkey

The Euro African or the story of the Haplogroup R1b Y-Haplogroup J2 – SW Asia, Caucasus, North Africa, Arabs, Jews|Cohen/Rothschild