Haplogroup E1b1b (Y-DNA)

Haplogroup E1b1b (Y-DNA)

In human genetics, Y Haplogroup E-M215, also referred to in the literature by other names such as E1b1b and E3b (see further discussion below), is a major Y-chromosome haplogroup, which is a division of the macro haplogroup E-M96, and which is defined by the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation M215. In other words it is one of the major paternal lines of humanity, linking from father-to-son back to a common male-line ancestor. It is a subject of discussion and study in genetics as well as genetic genealogy, archaeology, and historical linguistics. E-M215 is especially common among Oromos and Somalis in the Horn of Africa, as well as Berbers, Egyptians and Tuareg in North Africa. It is also frequently observed in West Asia, from where it spread into the Balkans and the rest of Europe. E-M215 has at least four common subclades: E-V68, E-V257, E-M123, E-M293, the last of which spreads from Ethiopia to South Africa.