Slavs and Serbs(South Slavs)

[Akul]

The information about the genetic studies will be taken mainly from http://www.eupedia.com/europe/origins_haplogroups_europe.shtml, and its sub pages beside other sites which will be linked. Note that the genetic studies aren't taken as secure evidence, it's a young scientific branch, the interpretation varies between specific work and according specific result (which are not always 100% the same). I chose this site because averages the result of the studies. However, genetics can be good indication.

While your read this information and data, keep in mind the dates and geographical and historical (even celestal) events and locations which C's mentioned, and Laura wrote about and noted in the books. Generally you can find them here: http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,13982.0.html.

YBP - Year Before Present (universally considered before 1950).

Haplogroup - a population group who descended from a common ancestor, as evidenced by specific SNP mutations.

Clade/Branch - from the Greek word klados, meaning branch. A clade on the Y chromosome tree is also called a haplogroup.

Subclade/Subbranch - a term to describe the relationship between two clades with the subclade being downstream ie. sub-clades/branches of haplogroup.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited only through one's mother. As it does not recombine like chromosomes, it can be used in population genetics to trace back ancestry on the matrilineal side and to divide populations into haplogroups. In Europe, mtDNA haplogroups are quite evenly spread over the continent, and therefore cannot be associated easily with ancient ethnicities. This is generally explained because were send away to marry in another village or town, so that their lineages spread more evenly over time. This theory doesn't always abide with general historical events and the fact the males were the one who made raids and war – resulting with migrations.

According to the scholarship, since the time of the alleged Mitochondrial Eve, approximately 200,000 years ago (differs), modern humans have acquired in average 20 mtDNA mutations in each lineage - about one every ten thousand years. Even though the number of mutations has accelerated with the soaring of human population over the last 10,000 years, the dating of lineages based on mtDNA alone remains very approximate, and practically useless for historical times. However, mtDNA can sometime reveal some potential medical conditions.

For the extended (also in the geographical sense) basic knowledge on mtDNA see and research from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mitochondrial_DNA_haplogroup.

The Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) is inherited exclusively from father to son and does not recombine with the X chromosome. It is traced to the alleged Y-chromosomal Adam. Only a few mutations distinguish the Y chromosome of a man and his father. These mutations are cumulative from generation to generation, so it is easy to trace the family tree of humanity by analyzing these mutations (SNPs) on the Y chromosome and mtDNA.

For the extended (also in the geographical sense) basic knowledge on mtDNA see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Y-chromosome_DNA_haplogroup.

I won't show images which depict Mesolithic Europe or Bronze Age Europe, because are heavly theorized on the contemporary historiography and archeology, while there's still serious lack of studies done on those ancient bodies which are dated to the respective time (even Middle Ages).

For the general tree see: http://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_haplogroups_timeline.shtml.
For the migration maps (Europe) see: http://www.eupedia.com/europe/neolithic_europe_map.shtml.
For the prehistoric European DNA (with studies) see: http://www.eupedia.com/europe/ancient_european_dna.shtml

The map represents the human migrations and mitochondrial haplogroups, based on data until 2010, also the “Out of Africa” theory:

mtDNA haplogroups​

http://www.eupedia.com/europe/Haplogroup_H_mtDNA.shtml
http://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_mtdna_haplogroups_frequency.shtml

Now will mention the general distribution and pressumed initial age of origin of mtDNA haplogroups. From the link of "Haplogroup H" you can easly move on to other haplogroups, and read further information. Won't go into details and recent ages because for that need to know exact subclade, and the table does not show that (need to check individual studies).

All modern human mtDNA outside of Africa derive from the haplogroup L3, which is common in East Africa, but generally in other parts L1 and L2 represent 2/3 of mtDNA. It is more related to Eurasian haplogroups than divergent African clusters L1 and L2. From its (subclades) macro-haplogroups M and N the vast majority of non-Africans descend. It is dated between 80,000-104,000 or 60,000-70,000 YBP. It's relation with M and N is theorized as: "the lack of L3 lineages other than M and N in India and among non-African mitochondria in general suggests that the earliest migration(s) of modern humans already carried these two mtDNA ancestors, via a departure route over the Horn of Africa", "ancestral L3 lineages that gave rise to M and N have not been discovered outside Africa … lost by genetic drift". The N is by far the predominant haplogroup in Western Eurasia, and haplogroup M is absent in Western Eurasia, but is predominant in India and is common in regions East of India.

The M originate from c. 60,000-71,000 YBP, and is generally theorized from South Asia. The obvious South Asia origin of M is shown from being the most common mtDNA in Asia, it peaks in Japan and Tibet (70%), India and South Korea (60%), China (50-60%). Its subclades C and D exist in North Eurasia (Siberia) and Native American populations, E is observed in Southeast Asia, while Q in Melanesia.

The N originate from c. 71,000 YBP, and is generaly theorized from Asia, ie. between East Africa and Persian Gulf. Its subclades O (small group) exist in Australia-Oceania, A in East Asia (Eskimo, Tibetans) and Native Americans (Navajo, Apache), S (small group) in Australia, I in Eurasia (Iran, Western and Eastern Europe) and East Africa (few Kenya-Ethiopia tribes), W in Western Eurasia, X (small group) in Europe and Native Americans, Y (small group) in East Asia (Sea of Okhotsk). The subclade R is the most common in West Eurasia, and is dated c. 66,000 YBP. Its subclades are B, P, F, JT (pre-JT; sub J and T), R0 (HV; sub H and V), U (sub K).

Haplogroup H is the most common and most diverse maternal lineage in Europe, in most of the Near East and in the Caucasus region. The Saami of Lapland are the only ethnic group in Europe who have low percentages of haplogroup H, varying from 0% to 7%. The frequency of haplogroup H in Europe usually ranges between 40% and 50%. The lowest frequencies are observed in Cyprus (31%), Finland (36%), Iceland (38%) as well as Belarus, Ukraine, Romania and Hungary (all 39%). The only region where H exceeds 50% of the population are Asturias (54%) and Galicia (58%), in northern Spain, and Wales (60%). The mutation defining haplogroup H took place at least 25,000 years ago, and perhaps closer to 30,000 years ago. Its place of origin is unknown, but it was probably somewhere around the northeastern Mediterraean (Balkans, Anatolia or Levant), possibly even in Italy. Roostalu et al. (2006) estimate that H1 arose around 22,500 years ago.

HV is found at a frequency ranging from 4% to 9% in most of the Middle East. Its highest frequency is observed in Iraq and Kurdistan (9%), as well as among the Dargins (9%) of Dagestan, in the north-east Caucasus. HV is unevenly spread around Europe. Haplogroups HV0 and V are relatively evenly distributed across all Europe and North Africa, with a frequency ranging from 2% to 8% in practically all countries and regions. The only populations with substantially higher incidence of HV0 or V are the Saami (42%) of northern Scandinavia and Finland, and the Cantabrians (19%), isolated in mountains in northern Spain.

The mutation defining haplogroup HV0 is thought to have taken place around the Last Glacial Maxium (c. 19,000 to 26,000 years ago), while haplogroup V would have arisen in the Late Glacial period, some time between 16,000 and 12,000 years ago. The extremely high prevalence of haplogroup V among the Saami, who do not seem to possess any Near Eastern admixture, and maintained a hunter-gathering lifestyle throughout the ages, is the best proof that haplogroup V did not originate in the Near East but in Mesolithic Europe. The origin of haplogroup HV0 is less clear since HV is clearly Near Eastern. It is not possible to say at present whether HV0 developed in the Near East then moved into Europe during the Late Glacial period (Upper Paleolithic), or if it arrived to Europe as HV then became HV0 in Europe.

Haplogroup J is relatively evenly distributed across all Europe. The only population in which it is absent are the Saami from Lapland. The highest frequencies of mtDNA J in Europe are found in Cornwall (20%), Wales (15%), Iceland (14%), Denmark (13.5%), Sardinia (13%), Scotland (12.5%), England (11.5%), Switzerland (11.5%), the Netherlands (11%) and Romania (11%). In the Middle East, it is most common in Saudi Arabia (21%), followed by Kuwait (16%), Yemen (15%), Kurdistan (15%), south-west Iran (14%), Iraq (13%), and the United Arab Emirates (12%). The mutation defining haplogroup J is thought to have taken place some 45,000 years ago, probably in West Asia.

Haplogroup T is composed of two main branches T1 and T2. The two of them have very different distributions, which are diametrically opposed in most regions. Haplogroup T1 is not found among the Saami, the Jews, or the Avars of the Caucasus, and is extremely rare in Jordan, Morocco, northern Spain, Bosnia and Croatia. The highest frequencies of mtDNA T1 are observed among the Udmurts (15%) of the Volga-Ural region of Russia, followed by Romania (6%) and the southern Balkans (Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, all 4.5%), the northern Fertile Crescent (Lebanon, Iraq, eastern Turkey, all around 5.5%), the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, 4.5% to 5.5%), then Austria and the Czech Republic (3.5%). Haplogroup T2 peaks among the Udmurts (24%) and the Chechen-Ingush of Daghestan (12.5%). After that T2 is most frequently encountered in the Netherlands (12%), Sardinia (10%), Iceland (10%), Switzerland (9.5%), Hungary (8.5%) and Ukraine (8.5%), as well as among many ethnic groups around the Caucasus such as the Kumyks (10%), Azeri (9.5%) and Georgians (9%). The mutation defining haplogroup T happened some time around 29,000 years ago, probably in the East Mediterranean region. T1 and T2 split from each others some 21,000 years ago, toward the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 26,500 to 19,000 years before present).

Haplogroup U5 is found throughout Europe with an average frequency ranging from 5% to 12% in most regions. U5a is most common in north-east Europe and U5b in northern Spain. Nearly half of all Sami and one fifth of Finnish maternal lineages belong to U5. Other high frequencies are observed among the Mordovians (16%), the Chuvash (14.5%) and the Tatars (10.5%) in the Volga-Ural region of Russia, the Estonians (13%), the Lithuanians (11.5%) and the Latvians in the Baltic, the Dargins (13.5%), Avars (13%) and the Chechens (10%) in the Northeast Caucasus, the Basques (12%), the Cantabrians (11%) and the Catalans (10%) in northern Spain, the Bretons (10.5%) in France, the Sardinians (10%) in Italy, the Slovaks (11%), the Croatians (10.5%), the Poles (10%), the Czechs (10%), the Ukrainians (10%) and the Slavic Russians (10%). Overall, U5 is generally found in population with high percentages of Y-haplogroups I1, I2 and R1a, three lineages already found in Mesolithic Europeans. The age of haplogroup U5 is uncertain at present. It could have arisen as recently as 25,000 years ago, or as early was 50,000 years ago. In any case, U5 appeared to be the dominant maternal lineage among Paleolithic and Mesolithic European hunter-gatherers, until the arrival of farmers and herders during the Neolithic. Haplogroup U2 is rare lineage very homogeneously spread across most of Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, with a frequency typically ranging from 0.5% to 2%. Haplogroup U3 is primarily a Near Eastern and Caucasian lineage, being found only at a frequency exceeding 3% in the eastern Mediterranean and in the Caucasus. U3 is almost completely absent from Finland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Wales, and interestingly also Sardinia (despite the high level of Near Eastern ancestry among Sardinians).

In Europe, K is particularly common in Northwest Europe, with peaks observed in Belgium (14%), Ireland (12%), the Netherlands (10%), Iceland (10%), Denmark (9%) and France (8.5%). In the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, haplogroup K reaches high frequencies in Cyprus (20%), among the Druzes of Lebanon (13%), in Georgia (12%), as well as among the Avars (13%) and the Dargins (12%) of Daghestan. Haplogroup K originated in West Asia as a subclade of haplogroup U8 some time between 20,000 and 38,000 years ago. Based on ancient DNA tests, haplogroup K appears to have been absent among the Western Hunter-Gatherers (WHG) who occupied western and central Europe before the Neolithic period.

Haplogroup I is a fairly rare haplogroup, being found in average in 2% of Europeans and under 1% of Near Easterners. Slightly more elevated concentrations are found in Daghestan, notably among the Dargins (6.5%), Chechens (6%) and Kumyks (5.5%), as well as in isolated parts of Europe such as Mordovia (6%), Latvia (4.5%), Lithuania (3%), Finland (4%), Brittany (3%), Great Britain (4%), Ireland (3%) and Iceland (4%), but also Serbia (3.5%), Croatia (3%), Bosnia-Herzegovina (3%) and parts of Italy. Haplogroups N1a and I have never been found in ancient samples from Paleolithic or Mesolithic Europe. N1a is thought to have originated in Southwest Asia.

Haplogroup W is particularly common in the eastern half of Europe, in the North Caucasus, in Central Asia, in Iran and in the north-west of the Indian subcontinent. In Europe, the maximum frequencies of W are observed in Finland (9.5%), Hungary (5%), Latvia (4%), Macedonia (4%) and Belarus (3.5%, but over 5% if we exclude the south). Haplogroup W is also well represented among some ethnicities of the North Caucasus, such as the Karachay-Balkars (8%), Avars (8%), Svans (8%) and Adyghe-Kabardin (5%). Haplogroup W is descended from haplogroup N2. It is defined by 11 new mutation thought to have arisen during the Late Glacial period, probably somewhere around the Caspian Sea some time between 16,000 and 20,000 years ago. The geographic distribution of haplogroup W suggests at a strong correlation with the historical population movements of Y-haplogroup R1a, the Balto-Slavic and Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European speakers.

Haplogroup X is one of rarest haplogroups in Europe, being found only in about 1% of the overall population. The highest incidence of haplogroup X is observed in Greece (4%), Macedonia (3%), Romania (2.5%) and around the Caucasus, notably among the Avars (5%), Adyghe-Kabardin (5%), Karachay-Balkars (4.5%), Nogays (4%), Dargins (3.5%), Armenians (3.5%), Azeri (3.5%). The only Eurasian ethnic group possessing a relatively high percentage of haplogroup X are the Druzes of Lebanon, Syria and Israel, among whom X makes up 15% of maternal lineages. The X2a subclade is also found among many indigenous Amerindian people from North America, notably among the Sioux (15%), the Nuu-Chah-Nulth (11%–13%), the Navajo (7%), and the Yakama (5%). The mutation defining haplogroup X is thought to have taken place during the late Upper Paleolithic, some time between 20,000 and 35,000 years ago, probably in West Asia. Haplogroup X has never been found among Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from Europe or North Africa.

The Y haplogroup will be analyzed separately in more details in the next post because it can be more easly compared with migrations and specific cultures.

 

[Akul]

Y haplogroups​

http://www.eupedia.com/europe/Haplogroup_I2_Y-DNA.shtml
http://www.eupedia.com/europe/maps_Y-DNA_haplogroups.shtml

Now will mention the general distribution and pressumed initial age of origin of Y haplogroups. From the link of "Haplogroup I2" you can easly move on to other haplogroups, and read further information. Sometime will go into details if there available subclades for specific period time and migration. For the dating, beside other studies, will specifically use as a mixture https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2336805/, and http://www.isogg.org/tree/ISOGG_YDNATreeTrunk.html.

To understand male human genetic history, similarly like mtDNA, there many theories – based on missing links. The evolutionary tree evolves like this: African haplogroup A0-T (146,300-234,900 YBP) is the oldest, of the Y-chromosomal Adam, and even today widely spread, but restriced to (sub-Saharan) Africa. Its subclade is BT, dated to 83,800-126,300 YBP. Its subclade are B (widely spread, but restriced to Africa), 73,500-83,800 YBP, and CT, 68,100-83,800 YBP.

Here is the missing link - no male with paragroup CT* has yet been discovered. Men within this haplogroup have Y chromosomes with the SNP mutation M168, along with P9.1 and M294. These mutations are present in all modern human male lines except A and B, which are both found almost exclusively in Africa.

The CT subclades are DE (59,100-68,100 YBP) and CF (65,400-69,900 YBP). They were separated somewhere when CF originated. The DE is well defined by unique event polymorphism – the YAP mutation on DNA called Alu. Its subclades are D (50-63,500 YBP), exclusively in Asia (peaks in Tibet and Japanese archipelago 35-41%, also Andaman Islands and Northeast India Tibetan tribes), and E (44,600-63,500 YBP), which is mainly in Western, Eastern, and Southern Africa, with some subclades in North Africa, Middle East ie. Mediterranean.

The CF is defined by SNP P143, but compared to DE, no living males or human remains belonging to the basal paragroup CF* have yet been discovered. Its subclades are C (48,300-65,400 YBP), with own subclades C1 (Australia, Oceania) and C2 (Indigeous Siberians, Mongolians, Kazakhs, and many other Central-Northeastern Asian tribes), and F (38,700-55,700/47,900-65,400 YBP), from which and its subclades (F1-3, GHIJK) most of the non-African male population descend. The minor sub-groups, F* (ie. F-M89*), F1, F2, F3 have not been well studied (misidentification), but apparently occur only infrequently and primarily in the Indian subcontinent (1-10%).

Map from 2010, just to show the approximate interpretation of the subclades (haplogroup) migration by the scholars.

The major subclade of F is GHIJK (47,900 YBP). Its subclades are G (26,500-47,700 YBP) and HIJK (47,700 YBP). The haplogroup G is in low frequency in most of the Old World, but peaks in the Caucasus. The HIJK subclades are H (45,500-47,700 YBP), and IJK (46,400-47,700 YBP). The haplogroup H is almost exclusively featured among the population in the Indian subcontinent area, and genuine Romani (Gypsy) people.

The major branch of HIJK is IJK. Its subclades are IJ (42,400-46,400 YBP) and K (43,900-46,400 YBP).

The subclades of IJ are I (27,300-42,400 YBP) and J (31,400-42,400 YBP). The haplogroup I1 (4,700-27,300 YBP) is mainly in Northern Europe, while I2 (21,700-27,300 YBP) in Southern Europe, and they split from each other approximately 15-28,000 YBP. The haplogroup J1 (10,000-31,400 YBP) is mainly in Middle East (Arabic countries), while J2 (15,500-31,400 YBP) is spread in Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia and Southeastern Europe. The J haplogroups are of Semitic origin, and were initially goat and sheep pastoralists, copper and metal working, seafaring, bull worshipers and one of the oldest civilisations (Hattians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Minoans, Phoenicians…).

The I haplogroups are probably the oldest in Europe (Late Paleolithic). The I1 is related with LGM refugia in Central-Southern Europe, and subsquent migration to the north. I1a1/I-L22 (4,100-4,200 YBP) subclade is Northern-Germanic, I1a2/I-Z59 (4,700 YBP) subclade is Anglo-Saxon-Germanic, I1a3/I-BY151 (4,200 YBP) is presumably East Germanic. The haplogroup I1 is found mostly (over 35%) in Scandinavia and Finland, while between 10-20% in Germany, Austria, England and Scottish Lowlands. It is associated with Germanic and Norse ethnicity and mithology, as well the Vikings.

The haplogroup I2 exact location origin is still theorized, but is generally considered Southern Europe (or Anatolia, or around the Caucasus), related with the LGM refugia (12-20,000 BCE). Its major subclades are I2a1/I-P37.2 (18,600-21,400 YBP), and I2a2/I-P214 (17,600-21,400 YBP). The North-West Europe subclade(s) I2a2a/I-M223 (12,200-17,600 YBP) makes 90% of the I2a2/I-P214. The I2a2/P214 generally varies between 10-20% in Central and North Germany, and 10-15% in Benelux and North Sweden. It has similar distribution like I1 subclades, and probably was assimilated by R1b population.

The I2a1/I-P37.2 makes the primal and largest macro-subclade. From it derive two branches, first is Western I2a1a/I-CTS595 (18,600 YBP), widespread in Western Europe with small percentages and peak in Sardinia (37.5%) and Basques (5%).

The second is Eastern I2a1b/I-M423 (13,800-18,600 YBP), with two main branches, I2a1b1/I-L161.1 (6,900-11,300 YBP) found in West Ireland (5-10%) and Scottish Highlands (1-5%), and the main subclade I2a1b2/I-L621 (6,500-11,300 YBP) found in Eastern Europe. The I-L621 subsequently branches into I2a1b2a/I-CTS4002 (5,500-6,500 YBP), and then I2a1b2a1/I-CTS10228/I-L147.2 (2,200-5,500 YBP). It is mostly found in Bosnia (55%, including 71% in Herzegovina), Sardinia (39.5%), Croatia (38%), Serbia (33%), Montenegro (31%), Romania (28%), Moldova (24%), Macedonia (24%), Slovenia (22%), Bulgaria (22%), Belarus (18.5%), Hungary (18%), Slovakia (17.5%), Ukraine (13.5%), and Albania (13.5%). It is found at a frequency of 5 to 10% in Germanic countries.

A schematic map: http://www.waughfamily.ca/Ancient/Tree%20and%20Map%20for%20Hg%20I.pdf (2013).

While the I1, and I2a2/I2a1a subclades, got assimilated by the Celto-Germanic (R1b) population, the I2a1b subclades were mainly assimilated by the Slavic (R1a) population. It's presumed that the I2 hunter-gatherers adopted agriculture too late, and were not enough numerous when arrived the wave of Indo-Europeans in the Central, North and Western Europe. The Eastern I2a1b/I-M423 is linked to the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture (3,000-4,800 BCE), the most advanced Neolithic culture in Europe before IE invasion in the Bronze Age. It was conquered by the IE Corded Ware culture (2,350-2,900 BCE). I2a1b is linked with the Illyrians, Dacians and Thracians tribal communities. With R1a would become a dominant paternal lineage among the (Southern) Slavs.

The subclades of K are: LT (42,220-43,900 YBP) and K2/K(xLT)/MNOPS (43,900 YBP). The haplogroup L (18,400-42,200 YBP), is found mainly in South-Central-Western Asia (with peak in Pakistan and Karnataka), and T (26,900-42,200 YBP), widespread but rare (with many local peaks, while low-general in Iraq-Iran, Horn of Africa, East India).

From K2/MNOPS branches several important haplogroups. First two branches (subclades) are K2a/K-M2335 (41,200-43,500 YBP) and K2b/MP-M1205 (43,500 YBP). From the first derive NO (36,500-41,200 YBP), and its haplogroups are N (22,200-36,500 YBP), mainly found in Northern Europe and Asia (Siberian Turkic-speaking Yakuts 75%, Uralic-speaking Nenets 75%, Finns 60%, Baltic states 45%), while O (30,200-36,500 YBP), is almost exclusive in East and Southeast Asia (45-80%; China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan,Tibet).

From the K2b/K-M2335 derive two subclades, K2b1/MS (30-40,000 YBP) and K2b2/P (31,300-43,500 YBP). From the first derive small haplogroups M and S which are common haplogroups in Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, and also mid-frequency in Australia and Indonesia.

The K2b2 ie. P* (P-P295) has been found in 28% among Aeta people (Luzcon, Philippines) and 10% in Timor, there some dana for P1 among some Altai-Siberian tribes (with perhaps misidentified, like before, of R or Q), the same in India and Nepal, so won't mention as it is very minimal sample/local and unclear from the studies.

The K2b2 ie. P* ie. P1, if all the studies until now were rightly done, and as what can be interpreted from the information shown above, which is already interesting (even confusing), now becomes even more. From it derive two separate haplo-branches: Q/Q-M242 (31,300-31,700 YBP) and R (27,600-31,300 YBP).

To the haplogroup Q belonged approximately 90% of pre-Columbian Native Americans (North, Meso, South America), and all descend from the branch Q1a2a1/Q-L54 (16,200-17,800 YBP), including various subclades of Q1a2a1a1/Q-M3 (12,600-15,000 YBP) and Q1a2a1a2/Q-Z780 (14,200-16,200 YBP). The Q-L54 derive from Q-L53 (17,800-19,900 YBP), which derive from Q-L56 (19,900-26,100 YBP), which derive from Q-L472 (26,100-29,700 YBP), which derive from Q-L274 (29,700-31,700 YBP). Q-M3 is the predominant haplotype in the Americas, at a rate of 83% in South American populations, 50% in the Na-Dené populations, and in North American Eskimo-Aleut populations at about 46%.

„Strangly enough“, the haplogroup Q is widespread in Eurasia, but not in numerous numbers. High frequencies (4-60%, not big samples) of Q/Q-242 (some belong to Native American Q1a2/Q-M346) are among Altaian tribes (Chelkans, Tubalars) in the area between Altai Mountains and Lake Baikal. There 35.4% of Q/Q-242 among Tuvans (Southern Siberia), 28.3% Kizhi (Altai people), and 35% Nivkh (Sakhalin and Khabarovski Krai). In particular, two groups exhibit large concentrations of the Q/Q-M242 mutation, the Ket (93.8%), and the Selkup (66.4%) in Far East Siberia, but they are small communities with only c. 1500 ie. 4250 individuals respectively. The Inuvialuit (44.62%) in NorthWestern Canadian Arctic are related to other inuits, and don't belong to the Native American Q1a2/Q-M346, yet separate sibling branch Q1a1/Q-F1096 (23,900-26,100 YBP). To this same separate branch belong very rare and small percentages of Q1a1a1/Q-M120 throught Eastern Asia, and 34-43% of Q1a1b/Q-M25 among Turkmen in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

Basically, it's incredible that almost all population (hundreds of thousands or millions) with the haplogroup Q traveled to another contient for no apparent reason, without leaving major population numbers and haplogroup percentages in the specific migratory territory.

Where this group doesn't peak at its maximum (only between 10-30%) in North America, it is replaced by: 1) R1 (M173) is found predominantly in Western North America groups like the Ojibwe (50-79%), Seminole (50%), Sioux (50%), Cherokee (47%), Dogrib (40%) and Tohono O'odham (Papago) (38%). 2) C-P39 of the haplogroup C-M217 (in Alaska and Western Canada (as well Siberia and Central-Eastern Asia). Population with that branch was propably those who actually traveled across Bering Strait from Siberia.

See http://science.sciencemag.org/content/349/6250/aab3884.abstract (Genomic evidence for the Pleistocene and recent population history of Native Americans, 2015), http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2015/07/22/discovery-change-view-human-history/ (Ancient DNA link connects Australians, South Americans, 2015).

If to the haplgroup Q belong Native Americans, then to the sibling haplogroup R (27,600-31,300 YBP) belong like previously some Asians/Orientals… wrong - Indo-Europeans. Its subclade are R1/R-Y482/R-M173 (22,000-27,600 YBP) and R2/R-M479 (27,600 YBP). From the first derive R1a/R-M420 (18,200-22,000 YBP) and R1b/R-M343 (19,700-22,000 YBP), while from the second rare R2a/R-M124 (11,000-25,000 YBP). The R2a is found mainly in India and Sri Lanka (10-15%), and Pakistan (7-8%), Tajikistan (6%), and the Chechens (15.8%), Balkarians (8%) and Mountain Jews (16%) in the Caucasus.

The haplogroup R most probably originated somewhere in the „Triplex Confinium“ of West, Central and South Asia. According to http://www.nature.com/ejhg/journal/v23/n1/pdf/ejhg201450a.pdf (The phylogenetic and geographic structure of Y-chromosome haplogroup R1a, 2015), the divergence time between R1a/R1a-M420 and R1b/R1b-M343 is 25,000 YBP (21,300-29,000 YBP).

The haplogroup R1a/R-M420 originate in the vicinity of Iran, and branches into R-M459 (14,400-18,200 YBP), R-M198 (8,500-14,400 YBP), and R-M417 (5,500-8,500 YBP). Then it branches into two geographically separate, European R-Z280 (5,000 YBP), and Asian R-Z93 (4,800-5,000 YBP).

The European subclade R-Z282* (4,700-5000 YBP) occure highest (20%) in northern Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The subclade R1a-Z284 (4,300-4,500 YBP) exclusively occurs (20%) in Norway. R1a-M458 (4,700 YBP) and R1a-M558 (4,300-4,700 YBP) have similar distributions, with the highest frequencies observed in Central and Eastern Europe. R1a-M458 exceeds 20% in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Western Belarus. The lineage averages 11–15% across Russia and Ukraine and occurs at 7% or less elsewhere. Unlike R1a-M458, the R1a-M558 clade is also common in the Volga-Uralic populations. R1a-M558 occurs at 10–33% in parts of Russia, exceeds 26% in Poland and Western Belarus, and varies between 10 and 23% in the Ukraine, whereas it drops 10-fold lower in Western Europe. In general, both R1a-M458 and R1a-M558 occur at low but informative frequencies in Balkan populations with known Slavic heritage. The rarity of R1a-M458 and R1a-M558 among Central Asian and South Siberian R1a samples suggests low levels of historic Slavic-Iranian gene flow.

The Asian subclade R-Z93* is most common (>30%) in the South Siberian Altai region of Russia, but it also occurs in Kyrgyzstan (6%) and in all Iranian populations (1–8%). It branches into R1a-Z94/95 (4,800 YBP). Subclade R1a-Z2125 (3,900-4,800 YBP) occurs at highest frequencies (63.5%) in Kyrgyzstan and in Afghan Pashtuns (>40%). It is also observed at greater than 10% frequency in other Afghan ethnic groups and in some populations in the Caucasus and Iran. Notably, R1a-M780 (3,900-4,800 YBP) occurs at high frequency (13-72%) in South Asia: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Himalayas. The group also occurs at 43% in some Iranian populations and is present at >30% among Romani from Croatia and Hungary.

R1b/R1b-M343 is also theorized that originated in West Asia, and probably through Southeast Europe (or Pontic Steppe) migrated to Western Europe. It branches into R1b1/R-L278/P25 (17,100-19,700 YBP), which branches into three R1b1a/R-L389 (16,800-17,100 YBP) in Black Sea, R1b1b/M335 in Anatolia, and R1b1c/V88 (6,800-17,100 YBP) in Levant and Africa. Then the R1b1a/R-L389 branches into younger R1b1a/P297 (13,600-16,800 YBP) in Black Sea, which branches into R1b1a1/M73/R-M478 (7,200-13,600 YBP) in Central-South Asia, and R1b1a2/M269 (6,400-13,600 YBP) in Pontic Steppe. The R1b1a2 branches into R1b1a2a/L23 (6,200-6,400 YBP) in Southeast Europe and Anatolia, and which branches into two R1b1a2a2/Z2103 (6,100-6,200 YBP) in Eastern Europe and West Asia, and R1b1a2a1/L51 (5,800-6,200 YBP) in Central Europe.

From R1b1a2a1 follow exclusively European subclades; R1b1a2a1a/L11 (4,900-5,800 YBP) in Western Europe, which branches into R1b1a2a1a2/P312/S116 (4,500-4,900 YBP) Proto-Italo-Celto-Germanic, and R1b1a2a1a1/S21/U106 (4,900 YBP) Proto-Germanic. The R1b1a2a1a2 branches into specific subclades North Atlantic (4,500 YBP), Ibero-Atlantic (4,500 YBP), Italo-Gaulish (4,500 YBP), Nordic (3,700-4,500 YBP), and Anglo-Saxon (4,500 YBP).

The North Atlantic subclade is reaching over 50-60% of the population in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Britanny of France. The Ibero-Atlantic subclade is reaching over 20-40% in South-North Eastern Iberia, mostly among the Basques. The Italo-Gaulish subclade represent previous Hallstatt Culture in Central Europe and is reaching over 30-50% in Switzerland, North and Northern-Central Italy. The Nordic, Anglo-Saxon, and Germanic over 20-40% in England, Norway, Denmark, Northwestern Germany and Austria.

It is also common in Anatolia and around the Caucasus, in parts of Russia and in Central and South Asia. Armenia (L23; 35%), the Bashkirs of the Urals region of Russia (50%), Turkmenistan (over 35%), the Hazara people of Afghanistan (35%), the Uyghurs of North-West China (20%) and the Newars of Nepal (11%). All this subclades are older remnants during the migration.

The difference, beside genetical between R1a and R1b populations, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centum_and_satem_languages, is also linguistical, as in the Indo-European family, the satem languages belong to the "eastern" sub-families, Indo-Iranian and Balto-Slavic, while the centum languages belong to the "western" sub-divisions, Celtic, Germanic, Hellenic, and Italic. Note that Tocharian is ancient extinct language.

To the R1a belong complex of inter-related and relatively mobile cultures living on the Eurasian steppe, part of which protrudes into Europe as far west as Ukraine. These cultures from the late Neolithic and into the Iron Age, with specific traits such as Kurgan burials (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurgan), and horse domestication, have been associated with the dispersal of Indo-European languages across Eurasia.

To the R1b presumably belong Yamna and Maykop cultures in the North and South of Caucasus, both used kurgan burials, developed metalworking, and therefore metal weapons, credited for the introduction of primitive wheeled vehicles (wagons) from Mesopotamia to the steppes. Later in the Western Europe is characterized by megalithic structures.

It's considered the R1 populations spread genes for light skin, fair hair, blond hair (primarily R1a), and red hair (primarily R1b).

Conclusion​

The South Slavs male lineage haplogroups can be grouped into 3 main groups IJ, R1, E, as the G, Q, T, N haplogroups are present in negligible percentages. The SS male lineage first separated (per DNA timeline, and Out of Africa theory), when the CT (68,100-83,800 YBP) branched into (59,100-68,100 YBP) and CF (65,400-69,900 YBP). From DE emerged African group E (54,300-63,500 YBP).

From CF followed F (65,400-68,100 YBP) - GHIJK (47,700-47,900 YBP). At this point haplogroup G (26,500-47,700 YBP) separates from HIJK (47,700 YBP). It is followed by IJK (46,400-47,700 YBP). Then the ancient ancestors of IJ and R1 separate – on IJ (42,400-46,400 YBP) and K (43,900-46,400 YBP).

While from IJ followed clear lines I and J, the R(1) developed with sibling Q (Native Americans) as the last, roughly in 31,300-31,700 YBP, from the haplogroup P (31,300-43,500 YBP). The other two minor haplogroups also developed (branched) from the (older) K haplogroup line, T (42,200 YBP), N (36,500 YBP).

Haplogroup I:

I2 is the main paternal lineage of Mesolithic Europeans. It peaks in Dalmatia-Dinaric Alps (40-70%), ie. the center between the West, Slovenia (20.5%), and East, Bulgaria (20%). For almost all of the South Slavic samples there's no exact data. It is considered that South Slavs mostly belong to the line of I2a1b2a1/I-CTS5966/I-CTS10228/I-L1472 (2,200-5,500 YBP) - I2a1b2a1a/I-S17250/I-YP204 (1,850-2,200 YBP), and I2a1b2a1a3/I-A356/I-Z16983 (1,650-1,850 YBP), which are obviously young and date from 2nd century BC to 4th century AD – the time when started the great invasion/migration from the East in the Pontic Steppe. Scenario is that the I2a1b was already present from Bosnia to Ukraine, and during the migration, and after with the Slavs migration (who were R1a and I2a1b), happened reversed arrival of I2a1b.

Ken Nordtvedt, who is researching this haplogroup, comments “So far, most or all of those who are negative for S17250 have patrilineage originating near the Carpathians, particularly southeastern Poland and extreme western Ukraine“, „Even though there are not so many results for the new SNPs for people from Croatia and Serbia, many of these people belong to the "Dinaric-South" group as defined by STRs and I think most of "Dinaric-South" will belong to what our project calls the I-Z16983/A356 group“.

I1 is the original paternal lineage of Nordic Europe. It varies between 3-9% among the South Slavs. Don't know the I1 subclade, but probably is indigenous, or related with R1b population.

Haplogroup R1a:

R1a is the dominant paternal lineage in the Eastern Europe, mainly among Slavic-speaking population. The main subclades among the South Slavs are of R1a-M458 (4,700 YBP), and R1a-M558 (4,300-4,700 YBP) line. The percentage of R1a is most in the West (24-38%), while average in the Dinaric Alps (15-17%), low-average in Southern Balkan (13.5%), and low in closed mountains (7.5%). There still need to be done extensive studies on the Scythians-Sarmatians as being Iranian-speaking is possible they belonged to the Asian R-Z93 macro-subclade, instead of European R-Z283, but every R1a is related to the Eurasian steppe at one point in history.

Haplogroup R1b:

R1b is the dominant paternal lineage in the Western Europe, mainly among Germanic and Celtic-speaking population. The percentage of R1b is most in the West (18%), low-average in the Dinaric Alps (3.5-9.5), and a bit higher in the South-East (11-12.5%). The main subclades among the South Slavs depend on the specific group of R1b migration, thus Italo-Gaulish and Germanic subclades would be present in the West and East, while overall, the subclade Anatolian-Balkanic R1b1a2a2/R-ht35/R-Z2103 (6,100-6,200 YBP).

Haplogroup E1b1b:

Its origin is in the North Africa and Middle East, outside Europe, E1b1b is found at high frequencies in Morocco (over 80%), Somalia (80%), Ethiopia (40% to 80%), Tunisia (70%), Algeria (60%), Egypt (40%), Jordan (25%), Palestine (20%), and Lebanon (17.5%). On the European continent it has the highest concentration in Kosovo (over 45%), Albania and Montenegro (both 27%), Bulgaria (23%), Macedonia and Greece (both 21%), Cyprus (20%), Sicily (20%), South Italy (18.5%), Serbia (18%) and Romania (15%).

When E1b1b/E-M215 entered Europe is unclear. The South Slavic E1b1b is of E1b1b1a2/E-V13 (4,400-7,700 YBP) subclade. Its percentage increases from the West (5-10%) to the East-Southeast (18-27%) direction. It is probably related to the „population growth associated with the introduction of agricultural practices“, and „development of Bronze technology“, associated with the Cardium pottery, and Middle East (Levant). It is argued the connection with J2b/J-M12, due to similar distribution and pre-history.

Haplogroup J*/J1/J2:

J1/J-M267 (18,500-31,400 YBP) is the dominant Arabian paternal lineage, with low percentages (0-3%) among the South Slavs. Most Europeans belong to subclades of J1-Z1828 (7,800-18,500 YBP) branch. Among the South Slavs probably the main subclade(s) is J-Z1884/J-L858 (4,400-5,200 YBP).

The J2/J-M172 (27,900-31,400 YBP) is the Greco-Anatolian paternal lineage with, low-average percentages, in the West with 2.5-4% in Slovenia and Croatia, and Southeast with 11-14% in Bulgaria and Macedonia. The South Slavs main subclade(s) is Anatolian-Balkan J2b/J-M102 (16,200-27,900 YBP), ie. the J2b1/J-M205 (5,600-16,200 YBP). It is associated with the Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures of Southeast Europe, the extent of the European Copper Age culture.

Haplogroup G:

G2a/G-P15/G-L149.1 (17,600-20,700 YBP) is the main paternal lineage of Neolithic farmers. Is geographically spread worlwide, but rare at low frequencies (1-10%), the only exception being Caucasus (Ossetians), Central and Southern Italy and Sardinia (15-30%), partially Anatolia. Haplogroup G in general had a slow start, evolving in apparent isolation for tens of thousands of years, possibly in Southwest Asia, cut off from the wave of colonisation of Eurasia. Another suppose destructive events which hardly survived (probably in war with Proto-Indo-Europeans). The Thessalian Neolithic in Greece, Starčevo culture in Hungary/Croatia, LBK culture in Germany, Remedello in Italy, and Cardium Pottery in south-west France and Spain shown mostly G2a haplogroup. They are associated with the Neolithic cereal and legume farming and pottery in the Fertile Crescent. They were also cattle and horse pastoralists.

Substantial minorities of other haplogroups have been found on different Neolithic sites next to a G2a majority, including C1a2, I2 and H2 in Anatolia and Southeast Europe, E-M78, I*, I1, I2a, I2a1 in Central and Southeast Europe (LBK, Starčevo), and E-V13 and I2a in the West Mediterranean (Cardium Pottery). These probably represent assimilated hunter-gatherers descended from Mesolithic and Paleolithic Europeans.

The group among the South Slavs is with low frequencies (1.5-5%), and don't know the exact subclade. According the data and information, presume it's the subclade(s) of Neolithic G2a3a/G-M406 (8,700-14,600 YBP) found in Southern Balkans.

Haplogroup T, Q, N:

They are in very low percentages (0-2%) among the South Slavs (not considering local peaks).

Haplogroup T/T-M184 subclades are widespread, but very rare with local peaks in Iraq-Iran, Horn of Africa, East India. Its origin was in Fertile Crescent where has the most diversity. It's considered it was probably a important (but not dominant) lineage among the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians. The modern distribution T in Europe strongly correlates with the Neolithic colonisation of Mediterranean Europe by Near-Eastern farmers, notably the Cardium Pottery culture (5000-1500 BCE). Its frequency mirrors the haplogroup J1 in Europe.

Haplogroup Q/Q-M242 is found predominantly among Native Americans, and some Central and North Asian tribes. It is considered to be brought into Europe by Turkic speaking Middle Age tribes who originated in the Altai region. Presume the subclade(s) among South Slavs is of Q1a1b1/Q-L712 (14,200-16,700 YBP) line.

Haplogroup N/N-M231 is a descendant of East Asian macro-haplogroup NO. The N1c1 subclade found in Europe likely arose in Southern Siberia around 15,000 years ago, and progressively spread to north-eastern Europe, possibly reaching the Volga-Ural region between 10,000 and 7,000 years ago. The Bronze Age Indo-European Fatyanovo–Balanovo culture (3200-2300 BCE) progressively took over the Baltic region and southern Finland from 2,500 BCE. The merger of the two groups, Indo-European R1a and Uralic N1c1, gave rise to the hybrid Kiukainen culture (2300-1500 BCE). The haplogroup N1c is found chiefly in north-eastern Europe, particularly in Finland (61%), Lapland (53%), Estonia (34%), Latvia (38%), Lithuania (42%) and northern Russia (30%), and over 40-50% among Uralic speaking (few Turkic speaking) ethnicities of the Volga-Ural region and Siberia.

 

[Akul]

Just to remind, before discussion is taken any further, on the page 5 is the initial post which discuss the issues from the previous discussions, the post guide on which way the topic discussion should go (and there useful links/books noted by Laura and Eärwen on page 2 and 4), and post about the historiographical aspect of the origin of the Croats and Serbs (but similar to all South Slavs).

If you previously didn't read about DNA studies, and all this seems about confusing to understand, take your time. As an (informative) introduction, search the mtDNA and Y haplogroups origin and distribution on http://www.eupedia.com/genetics/. It has many maps, so with visual stimulation will be easier to understand, to get the "picture" about Europe. After that you can search Wikipedia and search for each worldwide haplogroup.

The above review about the genetics of the male human lineage can be useful starting point for every nation in the world. Also, think that the above genetics studies and dating of the Y chromosome opened, or answers on many questions, and helps to understand the social events on Earth after the appearance ie. "transfer" of the so-called Kantekkians (Aryan race) c. 79-80,000 YBP (the time when planet Kantek was destroyed).

 

[Akul]

According to the C's the South Slavs arrived from the Caucasus. We can conclude that all the "Kantekkians" in Europe arrived from the region around Caucasus, perhaps even haplogroup I could be traced somewhere around the Caucasus from where arived to Southeastern Europe, but it had a different path from haplogroup R (ie. K) since 46,400 YBP.

However, from the information shown in previous posts about historical theories, and genetics, it can be concluded that the Slavs of the South Slavs arrived in the 6-7th (some minor wave could have happen even later) century migration from a wide region from Bohemia to Ukraine (different tribes from the West, Slovenia, to the South-East, Macedonia and Bulgaria). The etymology of the Croatian and Serbian name indicates a Iranian origin, while with the Slavic language, according to genetics of male lineage, it belongs to the specific R1a haplogroups carried by the Slavs and Iranian speaking Scythians in the Pontic Steppe above or near the Caucasus.

As noted above, the Eastern I2a1b/I-M423 is specifically linked to the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture (3,000-4,800 BCE), in the Western Ukraine and Northeastern Romania, and it was the most advanced Neolithic culture in Europe. It was, before Indo-European (R1) invasion in the Bronze Age. It was "conquered" by the Indo-European Corded Ware culture (2,350-2,900 BCE). This year is interesting because Eastern I2a1b/I-M423 in Eastern Europe is branched to I2a1b2/I-L621 (6,500 YBP), and then I2a1b2a/I-CTS4002 (5,500 YBP), which corresponds to the violent end, due to social or natural events, in connection with the territorial expansion of the Kurgan cultures (R1) - Corded Ware and Yamna.

Think that, if I2a1b/I-M423 was not already present in the Dinaric Alps (most likely in some other cultures), most of the population migrated there after the end of the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture, as the scholars point out in the image below. The haplogroup I2 is still present in average-high frequencies in Romania (28%) and Moldova (24%).

Cultures in Europe c. 3,500-4,000 BCE, which could be easly identified with Western-Northern (I1, I2a2a/I-M223) and Eastern (I2), along G2a:

It's intersting, as shown above in genetics post, specific languages are specific to certain haplogroup. Then, which language was specific to the haplogroup I2a1b/I-M423, which belonged to the Dacians and Thracians (Romania) and Illyrians, ie. their descendants who were assimilated by the Slavs (R1a)? Previously in the post about history, were mentioned Vlachs (and Arbanasi). In the Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlachs_of_Croatia is mentioned:

"The Vlachs were distinguished by their nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral way of life as shepherds involving transhumance. They lived in more extended families organised into local communities, and were bearers of a strongly patriarchal culture associated with the Dinaric Alps. Their ethnographic traits were traditional clothings, use of the gusle musical instrument accompanied with epic singing, Ojkanje singing, and some other specific traits like religious confession or language."

Note that nevethless were they Romance or Slavic speaking, the Dinaric traits are not exclusive to specific linguistical or modern South Slavic nation.

"The Vlachs mentioned in the documents from the Middle Age until the 16th century, before the Ottoman invasion and migrations, were the progeny of Romanized Illyrians and Thraco-Romans, other pre-Slavic Romance-speaking people, and after assimilation also of Slavic people. Some Romance-speaking groups were autochthonous in Croatia and assimilated with Slavs, some were assimilated but preserved their identity and name, while some other groups migrated from Herzegovina to Dalmatia in very late 14th century. Those groups from Herzegovina are believed to have migrated from Thessaly, Epirus and Macedonia before the Ottoman invasion into Southern Europe."

The image approximately shows the regions in which Vlachs/Romanians today live:

The Vlachs were Romanized population during the Roman time (Illyrian tribes unsuccessfully fought against the Roman Empire). If the Vlachs were autochthonous population in Croatia, then should not be made a mistake and specifically trace the "autochthonous" origin to the Romance speaking population, as only a limited communities preserved or the language or the surname among South Slavs, yet to the all South Slavs as most of the autochthonous population got actually Slavicized.

Interesting notes were given by Croatian 16th century sources, which show that until that time they were still considered as descendants from Illyrians, or Roman period of time: "in a book by Ragusan historian Ludovik Crijević (1459-1527), Writings on the Present Age, Vlachs were distinguished from other people, and were mentioned as "nomadic Illyrians who in the common language are called Vlachs" and "at the same time Cossuli (Kožul/lj, nowadays a surname), originated from the Illyrians who considered themselves Romans". During the Orthodox migration to Žumberak in 1538, general commander Nikola Jurišić mentioned the Vlachs who "in our parts are called as Old Romans"."

It is theorized that the Illyrian languages were likely extinct between the 6th century BCE and 6th century AD. That corresponds with the subclade I2a1b2a1a3/I-A356/I-Z16983 (1,650-1,850 YBP), which are obviously young and date from 2nd century BC to 4th century AD – the time when started the great invasion/migration from the East in the Pontic Steppe. As wrote above, scenario is that the I2a1b was already present from Bosnia to Ukraine, and during the migration, and after with the Slavs migration (who were R1a and I2a1b), happened reversed arrival of I2a1b.

As cited previously in the post on history: "If a Slavic migration occured, the actual number of Slavic settlers was small and that the autochthonous ethnic substratum was prevalent in the formation of the Croats [South Slavs]. However, there several issues with such a view point. One is that a possible autochthonous majority completely adopted minority's culture and language, without any exact trace of autochthonous heritage. Theoretically, this scenario can only be explained with the possible distortion of cultural and ethnic identity of native Romanized population that happened after the fall of West Roman Empire, and that the new Slavic language and culture was seen as a prestigious idiom they had to, or wanted to accept. Archaeological evidence of burial graves and cemetery types indicate an uninterrupted continuity of traditions from late antiquity, reflecting a contiguous demographic spread that chronologically matches with the arrival of Slavic-speaking groups."

It's obvious that the Slavic homeland was not in the Balkan, the autochthonous theory is wrong if is theorized from Slavic cultural or ideological point of view, but right if is theorized from non-Slavic point of view. It's clear that after the fall of Cucuteni-Trypillian culture due to Indo-Europeans, then "Illyrian" (if can be called so) culture due to Roman Empire (being Romanized), the population who carried haplogroup I2a1b had cultural crisis, and couldn't leave any substantial autochthonous trace in South Slavic languages. The archaeological evidence proves that the there was no "partially empty house".

Just a remind, not all Illyrian tribes were "Illyrian", some were of Celtic-Venetian origin. The Illyrian tribes never collectively regarded themselves as 'Illyrians', in fact, the name Illyrians seems to be the name applied to a specific Illyrian tribe, which was the first to come in contact with the ancient Greeks during the Bronze Age, causing the name Illyrians to be applied to all people of similar language and customs. An Illyric origin was and still is attributed also to a few ancient peoples in Italy, in particular the Iapyges, Dauni and Messapi.

Although there is almost no genuine writing evidence, there many words and anthroponyms of the Thraco-Illyrian languages. However, if you read the Wikipedia articles:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleo-Balkan_languages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrian_languages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thraco-Illyrian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracian_language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messapian_language

By this analogy, two things are more than obvious:
1) Thraco-Illyrian (beside some foreign influence), shares its branch with no other extant language
2) Modern Albanian language also shares its branch with no other extant language, and mostly easly explains those Thraco-Illyrian words

According to genetics, it's obvious that language(s) of haplogroup I shares its branch with no other extant language since the ancient male ancestors of I (also J) and R1 (ie. K) separated 46,400 YBP. The I1 and I2 separated c. 27,300 YBP. It seems that the modern Albanian language descended from a southern Illyrian dialect.

There's also archeological connection between Illyrians and the Messapi tribe in South Italy (Apulia), the so-called kažuni/bunja (left) in Croatia, and trullo (right) in Apulia, but also Sardinia, South France and Iberia peninsula (even British Isles and South Sweden):

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraggew%C3%B6lbebauten_aus_Trockenmauerwerk​

However, what's the genetical distribution of I2a1b1/I-L162 subclades today? As still cannot edit own posts, ignore the inclusion of I2a1b1/I-L162 in "Sardinia (39.5%) ... It is found at a frequency of 5 to 10% in Germanic countries" in post about genetics above. Western I2a1a/I-CTS595 is in Sardinia (37.5%), Basques (5%), perhaps Corsica's 18.5% as well, while I2a2/P214 is in Germanic countries.

Sardinia and Basques are interesting because of language. See for youself, "Sardinia's relative isolation from mainland Europe encouraged the development of a Romance language preserving traces of its indigenous, pre-Roman language. The language is posited to have substratal influences from Nuragic, Basque, and Etruscan". All three Nuragic, Basque and Etruscan are unclassified languages. The Paleo-Sardinian (or Nuragic) was spoken by the very developed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuragic_civilization (note the similar stone masonry, and Nuraghe). Sardinian is similar also to the extinct https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_language, which is especially linked to the Basque language (and Messapian). Basque county people wouldn't be the first to genetically belong to other linguistic haplogroup (95% R1b), while spoke genuine language. Etruscan is not related to any living language, and is hypothetical related to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrsenian_languages, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaetian_language, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemnian_language.

However, there still debate on Etruscan origin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruscan_origins.

The data on Vlachs/Aromuns was from http://www.carswell.com.au/wp-content/documents/homogenous-balkan-analysis.pdf (Paternal and maternal lineages in the Balkans show a homogeneous landscape over linguistic barriers, except for the isolated Aromuns, 2006). Although the samples size for Romanians/Aromuns in Romania, Albania and Macedonia varied between 29-59, the results on haplogroup I were: Romanians in Romania 38.9-41.9%, Aromuns in Romania 19%, Aromuns in Albania 17.9-42.1%, Aromuns in Macedonia 16.9-20.9%.

The study on South Slavs in Bosnia and Herzegovina http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2947100/ (Y-chromosomal evidence of the cultural diffusion of agriculture in southeast Europe, 2008), although the sample size varied between 81-90, the results on haplogroup I2a1b/I-M423 were: Bosnia-Serbs 34.6%, Bosniaks 42.9%, Bosnia-Croats 73.3%.

So when the South Slavs say "we are nobody and nothing", it matches the fate - crisis of identity of the haplogroup I2 since c. 2,500 BCE. However, compared to some other haplogroups history, surprisingly the population who carried it managed to survive all the historical events, adapting to new circumstances.

 

[Akul]

As was already pointed out, the Indo-Europeans (R1a, R1b) arrived to the boundaries of Eastern Europe some 3500 BCE (Yamna culture), and they gradually between 2900-2350 BCE (Corded Ware culture) expanded in Europe.

According to the genealogical tree April 2016 (https://yfull.com/tree/I2/), the age of I2-CTS4002 is 6239 YBP (YBP is counted from 1950; thus 4289 BCE), which correspond to the Early period (4800 to 4000 BC) of the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture (which was centered on modern-day Moldova and covering substantial parts of western Ukraine and northeastern Romania). The age of next in line mutation I2-CTS10228 is 5039 YBP (3089 BCE), which correspond to the Late period (3500-3000 BC), actually, the very decline and assimilation with the Indo-Europeans (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_and_end_of_the_Cucuteni%E2%80%93Trypillian_culture). It should be in mind that there were also other Y haplogroups like G, J and E among the population, the mutual cultural influences, and we cannot speak about some genetically homogenous population, more like variations in genetic diversity i.e heterogeneity.

The script or proto-writing used in the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture is similar to the older https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin%C4%8Da_symbols (Vinča script) used by the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vin%C4%8Da_culture (Vinča culture), and "as a result of this widespread use of these patters, historian Marco Merlini has suggested that it be given a name other than Vinča, since this implies that it was only used among the Vinča culture around the Pannonian Plain, at the very western edge of the extensive area where examples of this symbolic system have been discovered. Merlini has proposed naming this system the Danube Script".

This is actually very interesting as we can talk about wide pre-Indo-European culture in Europe.

There some interesting and important recent findings in Montenegro:
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2015/07/bjelopavlici-tumulus.html
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2015/07/mogila-na-rake.html
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2015/09/mala-i-velika-gruda-tumuluses.html
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2015/11/gruda-boljevica.html
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2016/03/development-of-montenegrian-tumuluses.html
http://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.hr/2016/03/linkardstown-cists.html

In the first post is written that "According to the archaeologists only in Montenegro there are between 3000 and 5000 tumuluses of which only 10 have been excavated". According to the posts, the Bjelopavlici tumulus is dated 2400 BC, the Mogila na Rake tumulus 2700 BC, the Mala and Velika Gruda tumuluses are dated 2800 to 2700 BC, the Gruda Boljevica tumulus.

There's some debate about "the golden cross discs [simbol] which appear in Ireland and Britain around 2500 BC have their predecessors in golden cross discs from Montenegro which were dated to 2700 BC (Mala Gruda) and some time between 3050 BC and 2700 BC (Gruda Boljevića)"... "Linkardstown Cist burials... The radiocarbon dates obtained from the bones deposed in these burials fall into the period 4800 - 4200 BP. If we assume that the C14/C12 ratio was constant during last 5000 years, then these two dates translate into 2800 - 2200 BC. But if we take into account the variability of the C14/C12 ratio and use the calibration curve to correct the variation error, we end up with calibrated dates 3400 - 2800 BC... If we use calibrated dates then the Linkardstown Cist burials directly predate the Montenegrian tumuluses. But if we use plain dates then the Linkardstown Cist burials completely overlap with the Montenegrian tumuluses. I believe that the truth is somewhere in the middle."

Megalithic art in Europe which started in the Neolithic and continued into the Bronze Age seems it was initially related to the autochthonous haplogroup I, i.e diversity with G2a, J2 and some E haplogroup mutations which pre-dated the Indo-European (R1a, R1b) arrival. There's some interesting part in the Cassiopaean Session Transcripts :

February 19, 2000

Q: I didn't think so. Okay, in this book it says: Diodorus Siculus, writing in the 1st century B.C., said that "certain sacred offerings wrapped in wheat straw come from the Hyperboreans into Scythia, whence they are taken over by the neighboring peoples in succession until they get as far west as the Adriatic. From there they are sent south, and the first Greeks to receive them are the Dodonaeans. Then, continuing southward, they reach the Malian gulf, cross to Euboea, and are passed on from town to town as far as Carystus. Then they skp Andros, the Carystians take them to Tenos, and the Tenians to Delos. That is how these things are said to reach Delos at the present time." So, from very ancient times, there was this practice of the Hyperboreans sending sacred offerings to the Island of Delos. Now, the Island of Delos is supposedly the birthplace of Phoebus Apollo, whose mother was Leto. Supposedly he was born on Mt. Cynthus. This is a very curious thing. This is contrary to the old view that the cultural flow was from the Mediterranean to the North, that civilization began in the Near East. It implies a cultural flow from the North to the South. What were these ancient Hyperboreans sending to the Island of Delos?

A: Leaves bearing cryptic codes.

Q: What was the connection between the Hyperboreans, including the Celts of Britain, I believe, and the people of Delos?

A: Northern peoples were responsible for civilising the Meditteranean/Adriatic peoples with the encoded secrets contained within their superior extra-terrestrially based genetic arrangement. Practice of which you speak was multi-trans-generational habit.