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Makota in Y-DNA Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198)!
January 15, 2012: Our first member was identified as a member of the Y-DNA Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198). R1a1a is believed to have originated somewhere within Eurasia, most likely in the area from Eastern Europe to South Asia. This matches the location of present day Western Ukraine for the oldest known paternal ancestor.
When did R1a1a begin?
It's thought that this haplogroup began between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago with the birth of a male child on the grassy steppes of present day Ukraine or southern Russia, at a time when glaciers were retreating. This child's descendants were nomads who lived on the steppes, and some researchers have speculated that members of this new haplogroup were the first people to domesticate the horse. This is important as it gave them a tool to move further away from their original homes than they could get to on foot. Eventually these haplogroup ancestors migrated as far away as India and Iceland.
The original Indo-Europeans!
The spread of languages also provide clues in tracing migration patterns. Members of haplogroup R1a1a are thought to have begun and spread Indo-European languages. This is the world’s most widely spoken language family, and includes English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Indian languages such as Bengali and Hindi. Many of the Indo-European languages share similar words for animals, plants, tools, and weapons.
Some researchers believe that the Kurgans, who were nomadic horsemen from the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia, were the first to speak and spread a Proto-Indo-European language, about 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. Research seems to indicate that the Kurans may have been descended from the first member of Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198).
Where do we find Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198) today?
Today about 40% of the men from the Czech Republic across the steppes to Siberia, and south throughout Central Asia are descendants of this clan. In India, around 35% of the men in Hindi-speaking populations carry the M198 marker. In Europe, the highest frequencies are found in Eastern Europe, with most in Ukraine, where it's believed that 50% or higher are in this haplogroup. A large percentage is also found in Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with a slightly lower percentage found in Northern Europe. Some researchers believe that the haplogroup was spread across Europe by the Vikings, and this is why the haplogroup is also found in Great Britain.
January 15, 2012: Our first member was identified as a member of the Y-DNA Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198). R1a1a is believed to have originated somewhere within Eurasia, most likely in the area from Eastern Europe to South Asia. This matches the location of present day Western Ukraine for the oldest known paternal ancestor.
When did R1a1a begin?
It's thought that this haplogroup began between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago with the birth of a male child on the grassy steppes of present day Ukraine or southern Russia, at a time when glaciers were retreating. This child's descendants were nomads who lived on the steppes, and some researchers have speculated that members of this new haplogroup were the first people to domesticate the horse. This is important as it gave them a tool to move further away from their original homes than they could get to on foot. Eventually these haplogroup ancestors migrated as far away as India and Iceland.
The original Indo-Europeans!
The spread of languages also provide clues in tracing migration patterns. Members of haplogroup R1a1a are thought to have begun and spread Indo-European languages. This is the world’s most widely spoken language family, and includes English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Indian languages such as Bengali and Hindi. Many of the Indo-European languages share similar words for animals, plants, tools, and weapons.
Some researchers believe that the Kurgans, who were nomadic horsemen from the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia, were the first to speak and spread a Proto-Indo-European language, about 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. Research seems to indicate that the Kurans may have been descended from the first member of Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198).
Where do we find Haplogroup R1a1a (M-198) today?
Today about 40% of the men from the Czech Republic across the steppes to Siberia, and south throughout Central Asia are descendants of this clan. In India, around 35% of the men in Hindi-speaking populations carry the M198 marker. In Europe, the highest frequencies are found in Eastern Europe, with most in Ukraine, where it's believed that 50% or higher are in this haplogroup. A large percentage is also found in Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with a slightly lower percentage found in Northern Europe. Some researchers believe that the haplogroup was spread across Europe by the Vikings, and this is why the haplogroup is also found in Great Britain.