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mtDNA · Maternal lineage

I6

mtDNA Haplogroup I6

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A reference profile for one lineage branch. Shared haplogroups do not establish a family relationship or cultural identity.

Reference profile

Branch background

Historical context for mtDNA lineage branch I6

Origins and Evolution

mtDNA haplogroup I6 is a downstream branch of haplogroup I, a West Eurasian maternal lineage whose deeper root likely formed in the Near East during the Upper Paleolithic (parent haplogroup I has been dated to roughly ~25 kya). I6 most plausibly arose in the early Holocene (postglacial/early Neolithic), approximately 8–10 kya, as a localized derivative within Near Eastern maternal diversity. Given its position on the mtDNA phylogeny, I6 represents a relatively young and low-diversity lineage compared with older pan-Eurasian haplogroups.

Subclades (if applicable)

As a specific subclade of I, I6 may contain further minor branches in high-resolution phylogenies, but it is generally described as a low-frequency terminal clade in published datasets and ancient DNA panels. Because only a small number of modern and ancient samples fall into I6, internal substructure (nested subclades) is limited or not yet well resolved; additional whole-mtDNA sequencing from under-sampled Near Eastern and Caucasus populations could reveal deeper branching.

Geographical Distribution

I6 shows a Near Eastern provenance with scattered, low-frequency occurrences in adjacent regions. Modern and ancient occurrences are concentrated in Anatolia, the Levant, and the southern Caucasus, with sporadic detections in southern and eastern Europe (Balkans, parts of Italy), isolated records in Central/South Asia, and occasional low-frequency presence in North Africa. The haplogroup has been observed in at least three ancient DNA samples, consistent with a role in early farmer-associated contexts and subsequent local persistence rather than wide, high-frequency replacement.

Historical and Cultural Significance

I6 is best interpreted as part of the maternal substrate of Neolithic farming expansions originating in western Asia. Its presence in ancient Neolithic farmer contexts (for example, Anatolian and early European farming groups) supports a model in which small numbers of female lineages from the Near East contributed to the genetic makeup of early agricultural communities in Europe and the Caucasus. Because I6 is rare, it does not mark major population turnovers by itself but serves as a useful marker of localized maternal ancestry linked to Near Eastern/Anatolian source populations and the Neolithic transition.

Conclusion

mtDNA I6 is a minor, regionally informative subclade of haplogroup I: it likely originated in the Near East during the early Holocene, moved in low frequency with agricultural communities into neighboring regions, and persists today at low levels across the Near East, Caucasus, and parts of southern and eastern Europe. Its rarity means that each occurrence (especially in ancient DNA) can provide valuable insight into micro-scale maternal migrations and contacts between Near Eastern and European populations.

Key Points

  • Origins and Evolution
  • Subclades (if applicable)
  • Geographical Distribution
  • Historical and Cultural Significance
  • Conclusion
Reference profile

Tree & Relationships

Phylogenetic context and subclades

Evolution Path

Follow the recorded parent branches toward I6. Dates are estimates and can change as reference data is revised.

Steps Haplogroup Age Estimate Archaeology Era Time Passed Immediate Descendants Tested Modern Descendants Ancient Connections
1 I6 Current ~9,000 years ago Neolithic 9,000 years 1 9 1
2 I ~25,000 years ago Paleolithic 25,000 years 7 557 66
3 N1A1B ~9,000 years ago Neolithic 9,000 years 2 581 8
4 N1A1 ~12,000 years ago Neolithic 12,000 years 2 660 0
5 N1A1'2 - - - 2 662 0
6 N1A ~13,000 years ago Mesolithic 13,000 years 2 688 6
7 N1 ~45,000 years ago Paleolithic 45,000 years 3 906 21
8 N1'5 - - - 2 955 0
9 N ~60,000 years ago Paleolithic 60,000 years 16 26,150 13
10 L3 ~70,000 years ago Paleolithic 70,000 years 7 30,162 6
11 L3'4 - - - 2 30,212 0
12 L3'4'6 - - - 2 30,216 0
13 L2'3'4'6 - - - 2 31,333 0
14 L2'3'4'5'6'7 - - - 2 31,349 0
15 L1'2'3'4'5'6'7 - - - 2 31,852 0
16 L ~160,000 years ago Paleolithic 160,000 years 2 32,236 5

Subclades (1)

I6A
~6,000 years ago
Near East

Siblings (6)

Other branches from the same parent haplogroup

I* I1 6 I2'3 I4 1 I5 1 IA 2
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Where in the World

Geographic distribution and modern presence

Recorded origin

Near East

Modern Distribution

The populations where mtDNA haplogroup I6 is found include:

  1. Near Eastern populations (Anatolia, Levant, Iran)
  2. Caucasus populations (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan)
  3. Southern and Eastern European populations (Balkans, Italy, parts of Northern and Western Europe)
  4. Central and South Asian groups (low frequency, scattered)
  5. North African populations (sporadic, generally low frequency)
  6. Jewish communities (including some Ashkenazi and Sephardic lineages, at low frequency)
  7. Ancient European farmer communities (Neolithic LBK and related contexts)
Historical context

A branch through time

Estimated formation in a broad historical timeline. Period markers provide context and do not imply a connection with particular cultures.

  1. ~10k years ago

    Neolithic Revolution

    Agriculture begins, settled communities form

  2. ~9k years ago

    Haplogroup I6

    Estimated formation of this mtDNA branch; dates and locations are reference estimates.

    This branch
  3. ~5k years ago

    Bronze Age

    Metalworking, writing, and early civilizations

  4. ~3k years ago

    Iron Age

    Iron tools, expanded trade networks

  5. ~2.5k years ago

    Classical Antiquity

    Greek and Roman civilizations flourish

  6. Present

    Present Day

    Modern era

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Archaeological context

Recorded archaeological associations for mtDNA branch I6

Recorded associations

These labels describe archaeological contexts recorded for reference samples linked to I6. An association does not establish that all carriers belonged to a culture or followed a particular migration route.

Armenian Neolithic Ghassulian Gonur Culture Israel_Phoenician Italy_Sicily_IA_a_IA_b_Punic Late Bronze Age Armenian Late Punic Sardinian Nordic Bronze Age PPNC Saltovo-Mayaki Urartian
Culture assignments are based on archaeological context of ancient DNA samples and may represent regional associations during specific time periods.
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Sample Catalog

1 subclade carrier of haplogroup I6 (no direct carriers in the current reference selection)

1 shown · 1 matching samples

Portraits are AI-generated illustrations. Sample labels and accession IDs identify the reference records.

Portrait Sample Country Era Date Culture mtDNA Match
AI-generated illustrative portrait of Late C individual, Upper Galilee. Pki'in, Israel (4,500-3,500 BCE)
Sample ID: I1160
Israel Israel C 4450-3950 BCE Ghassulian I6/N1a1b Subclade
MATERNAL LINEAGE · ANCIENT DNA

Ancient lineage evidence map

Follow parent clades toward this branch and explore where ancient carriers were found.

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Markers are archaeological find locations. A dashed connector is an uncertain, proposed geographic transition between consecutive branches supported by multiple dated observations; it is not an exact travel route, birthplace or proof of direct descent. Parent-clade samples may belong to other descendant branches. Gaps remain where evidence is insufficient. Sample dates differ from haplogroup formation dates.

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Carrier Distribution Map

Geographic distribution of 1 ancient DNA sample (direct and subclade carriers of I6)

Subclade carrier
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Temporal Distribution

Distribution of carriers across archaeological periods

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Geographic Distribution

Counts by recorded sample country. These reflect the available reference selection, not population frequencies.

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Country × Era Distribution

Compare recorded sample counts across countries and archaeological periods. Select a populated cell to inspect a sample.

Data

Data & Provenance

Source information and data quality

Last Updated 2026-02-16
Confidence Score 50/100
Coverage Low

Data Source

Classification, estimated dates and geographic context reflect the recorded reference data and may change as evidence is revised. Sample coverage is uneven; recorded locations and archaeological associations do not establish personal origin or cultural identity.