Complete Lineage Analysis

🌳 Introduction: A Portrait of an Amazigh Lineage

This report presents a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary analysis of a specific lineage rooted in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco. The synthesis of genetic data, historical records, and anthropological studies reveals a narrative that is both deeply personal and emblematic of the broader demographic history of North Africa.

The core of this analysis lies in the convergence of two distinct ancestral streams: a paternal lineage belonging to Y-DNA haplogroup E-PF2546, which is autochthonous to North Africa and strongly associated with the indigenous Amazigh (Berber) people, and a maternal lineage belonging to mtDNA haplogroup H1-T16189C!, a classic Western European marker with ancient origins that arrived via prehistoric migrations.

👨‍👦 The Paternal Ancestry: A Deep History of the Amazigh Y-Chromosome (E-PF2546)

Geographic distribution of the E-M81 "Berber Marker" across North Africa, showing the concentration in the Maghreb region

The African Genesis of Haplogroup E

The paternal line belongs to the macro-haplogroup E, defined by the M96 mutation. This is a primary branch of the more ancient haplogroup DE. The ultimate origin of haplogroup E has been a subject of academic discussion, but the most recent genetic evidence, including the discovery of the ancient D0 haplogroup in Nigeria, strongly supports an African origin for the entire DE clade. This places the root of this paternal lineage firmly on the African continent, with an immense time depth stretching back over 65,000 years.

The "Berber Marker" E-M81/E-M183

Further down the phylogenetic tree, this lineage belongs to haplogroup E-M81 (also known as E1b1b1b1a), the single most dominant Y-chromosome haplogroup in North Africa and the defining paternal marker of the Amazigh people. Its geographic distribution is highly structured, displaying a pronounced west-to-east gradient:

• Frequencies peak in the Maghreb, reaching over 80% in some Amazigh communities (with an average of ~45% across North Africa)
• In specific Moroccan Berber groups, reaches nearly 98%
• Decreases progressively eastward into Libya and Egypt (~10%)
• Found at lower frequencies in Iberia (~5% in Portugal) due to historical North African influence

E-PF2546: A Lineage of the Mauretanian Iron Age

The specific subclade identified, E-PF2546, represents a distinct branch within the broader E-M81 tree. Per the YFull YTree database, E-PF2546 formed approximately 2,300 years before present (~300 BCE), with a TMRCA of approximately 2,100 years before present. This is consistent with the broader finding by D'Atanasio et al. (2018, Scientific Reports) that E-M81/E-M183 underwent a surprisingly recent expansion, with whole Y-chromosome sequencing placing the parent clade's TMRCA at ~2,000-3,000 years ago.

This precise dating places the lineage's formation during the zenith of Carthaginian power in North Africa and the consolidation of the Mauritanian kingdoms, representing a critical period of demographic expansion and cultural development among the Amazigh peoples.

E-PF2546 subclade distribution showing highest concentrations in Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Morocco

The geographic distribution shows highest concentrations in:

• Mauritania: 64%
• Western Sahara: 50%
• Morocco: 23%

The formation of this lineage around 400 BCE places its founder in a pivotal period of North African history - the height of Carthaginian influence and the era of organized Amazigh kingdoms known as Mauretania. Ancient DNA analysis has even provided a direct link: a sample from a Guanche mummy found on Tenerife was identified as belonging to haplogroup E-PF2546, confirming this lineage's role in the ancient Amazigh expansion to the Canary Islands.

👩‍👧 The Maternal Ancestry: A European Journey to Africa (H1-T16189C!)

H1 haplogroup distribution showing the prehistoric migration from the Franco-Cantabrian refuge to North Africa

Origins in Ice Age Europe: Haplogroup H1

In stark contrast to the deep African roots of the paternal line, the maternal lineage follows a journey that begins in Ice Age Europe. The maternal lineage belongs to haplogroup H1, a major subclade of haplogroup H, which is the most common mtDNA haplogroup in Europe today (found in approximately 41% of the population).

During the Last Glacial Maximum (26,500 to 19,000 years ago), vast ice sheets forced human populations into southern refugia, such as the Franco-Cantabrian region of northern Spain and southwestern France. As the climate warmed, populations carrying haplogroup H1 expanded from this refuge to repopulate Central and Northern Europe. The coalescence age of H1 is estimated at approximately 11,000-16,000 years depending on the calibration method used (Soares et al. 2010; Ottoni et al. 2010).

Across the Strait: The Prehistoric Migration into North Africa

Critically, this post-glacial expansion was not only northward into Europe but also southward across the Strait of Gibraltar. This migration was so substantial that H1 became the dominant subclade of haplogroup H in North Africa, accounting for 42% of H lineages in the region.

Migration pathways showing how H1 lineages crossed from Iberia to establish in North Africa during the early Holocene

The timing of this migration is crucial: the coalescence age for haplogroup H1 within North Africa is approximately 11,400 years ago (range: ~9,000-13,700 years ago) as estimated by Ottoni et al. (2010, PLOS ONE). This firmly places its arrival in the early Holocene — during the African Humid Period when the Sahara was much greener — long before any historical migrations. Villalba-Mouco et al. (2023, Nature) provided direct ancient DNA confirmation that early Neolithic Moroccans carried European Neolithic ancestry, supporting trans-Gibraltar gene flow. This was a foundational prehistoric event coinciding with the Neolithic transition that contributed significantly to the peopling of the Maghreb.

The H1-T16189C! Marker and Local Evolution

The ancient presence of H1 in North Africa is confirmed by the evolution of local, North Africa-specific subclades such as H1v, H1w, and H1x (Ottoni et al. 2010). These subclades have been confirmed in recent studies: Colombo et al. (2025, Scientific Reports) found North African-specific H1 clades at frequencies of 4.4-15.4% across the region, while Aizpurua-Iraola et al. (2023, Scientific Reports) confirmed them in Algerian Chaoui Imazighen populations. The specific marker T16189C defines a particular branch within the H1 tree and has been found in ancient DNA samples from Poland dating to around 1,750 years before present (Juras et al. 2014, PLOS ONE), confirming its ancient European presence.

Ethnohistory of the Chtouka

Your specific origins place you within the Chtouka (Aït Chtouk), a major tribal confederation of the Tachelhit-speaking Amazigh people. This is the heartland of the Shilha culture in the Souss-Massa region.

🏛️ Traditional Chtouka Village: Earthen architecture with fortified agadir granary in the Souss Valley

A particularly notable cultural element throughout the Chtouka region is the weaving tradition. Chtouka women are renowned for producing spectacular striated textiles (haik and tahaikt) on vertical looms, with purely decorative striped patterns that focus on creative expression rather than protective functions common in other Berber traditions.

Political & Linguistic Timeline

The Souss region has a complex history, balancing tribal autonomy with the authority of central governments. This timeline highlights the political evolution that your ancestors experienced.

Migration patterns and historical movements: Visual representation of population flows into and across North Africa

🤝 Genetic Synthesis: The "H1 Enigma" and the Peopling of North Africa

Asymmetrical Admixture and Female-Mediated Gene Flow

The genetic profile of this lineage—combining indigenous Amazigh Y-DNA E-M81 with European-origin mtDNA H1—exemplifies asymmetrical admixture. This demographic pattern shows unequal genetic contributions from males and females of different source populations, suggesting historical scenarios where incoming groups consisted primarily of women integrated into existing male-dominated social structures.

Evaluating Historical Scenarios

Several events could explain the introduction of European maternal lineages into North Africa:

Conclusion: The Confluence of Two Histories

The current academic consensus supports that haplogroup H1 became embedded in the North African maternal gene pool through significant, female-mediated migration from Iberia during the prehistoric Neolithic period. This was not violent conquest but demic diffusion and admixture, where women from farming communities integrated with local North African groups.

🧬 Heritage Convergence: Visualization of how the paternal E-PF2546 (African) and maternal H1 (European) lineages converged in the Souss-Massa region over thousands of years

The genetic profile analyzed represents a living testament to this deep history. The paternal E-PF2546 lineage embodies the ancient, autochthonous Amazigh heritage - men who inhabited the Souss-Massa for millennia, underwent massive Iron Age expansion, and maintained cultural autonomy for centuries. The maternal H1 lineage represents the legacy of a foundational prehistoric migration of women from Europe, whose descendants became fully integrated into North African populations thousands of years before recorded history.

The convergence of these two distinct yet interwoven streams of human history in an individual from the Chtouka confederation is the remarkable culmination of this grand demographic narrative.

📚 References & Further Reading