Haplogroup T2 Distribution

Return to mtDNA Test Results Summary Page

The mitochondrial Haplogroup T is best characterized as a European lineage. With an origin in the Near East greater than 45,000 years ago, the major sub-lineages of Haplogroup T entered Europe around the time of the Neolithic 10,000 years ago. Once in Europe, these sub-lineages underwent a dramatic expansion associated with the arrival of agriculture in Europe. It is presently found throughout Western Eurasia, including North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and occasionally in the Near East. About 10% of Europeans carry haplogroup T. Carriers of this line are most abundant in southern and western Europe. They are next most abundant in Ireland and western Britian.This haplogroup is a sister to haplogroup J as both carry a similar variation pattern and originated about 30,000 years ago probably in the Near East. Haplogroup T itself probably ofiginated in present-day northwestern Italy about 17,000 years ago.

Haplogroup T2 is one of the older sub-lineages and may have been present in Europe as early as the Late Upper Palaeolithic. The T2 subclade is most frequent in Europe with the highest frequencies in the Mediterranean and Near East areas, particularly among Palestinians.