The Iberian Peninsula has a complex history. Here, the authors analyse the genetic structure of the modern Iberian population at fine scale, revealing historical population movements associated with the time of Muslim rule.

Archaeological news from the Archaeology in Europe web site

Frequency tables showing the percentage for each Y-DNA haplogroup by country and region in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The history of Spain dates to the Antiquity when the pre-Roman peoples of the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula made contact with the Advertisement

Almoravid dynasty Kingdom of León See United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves

A migration from Central Europe transformed the genetic make-up of Iberia, a new DNA study reveals.

Genetic history of the Iberian peninsula and the various ethnic groups that have contributed to the modern Spanish and Portuguese gene pool.

This is a guide of the Iberian Peninsula, including the most important places of interest to visit for planning the best itinerary.

A study of 8,000 years of genetics from Spain and Portugal yields a surprisingly complex picture of the inhabitants' ancestry.

An international study published recently in the prestigious journal Science traces the genetic map of the Iberian Peninsula, covering the last 8,000 years. The results show that, around 4,000 years ago, the arrival of groups descended from people originating from Central Asia effectively prompted the replacement of almost 100% of the male population.

Most studies of European genetic diversity have focused on large-scale variation and interpretations based on events in prehistory, but migrations and invasions in historical times could also have had profound effects on the genetic landscape. The Iberian Peninsula provides a suitable region for examination of the demographic impact of such recent events, because its complex recent history has involved the long-term residence of two very different populations with distinct geographical origins and their own particular cultural and religious characteristics—North African Muslims and Sephardic Jews.

There is a brand new paper on Y-DNA haplogroup E1b1: B. Trombetta et al., A New Topology of the Human Y Chromosome Haplogroup E1b1 (E-P2) Revealed through the Use of Newly Characterized Binary Polymorphisms. PLoS ONE 2011. Open access. The new phylogeny is available in the graphic at the left (B, click to expand). And it includes the following changes: Haplogroup reorganization E1b1c is now known to be part of a shared upstream haplogroup with E1b1a, which become E1b1a2 and E1b1a1, respectively. In this clade a new downstream haplogroup is also described by the name E1b1a1g1d (V39). The other haplogroup E1b1b, also sees some changes in its downstream clades: two new small subclades are described: E1b1b1f (V42) and E1b1b1g (V92). Former E1b1b1f (P72) becomes now part of the somewhat larger haplogroup E1b1b1e (M293). Also a new small clade is described by the SNP V23 and named E1b1b1c1c. In this major lineage, maybe more intriguing is the finding that the two haplogroups with notable presence in Europe, are now subsumed into larger clades: E1b1b1a (V68) and E1b1b1b (V257). These two haplogroups are notable because: Within E-M35, there are striking parallels between two haplogroups, E-V68 and E-V257. Both contain a lineage which has been frequently observed in Africa (E-M78 and E-M81, respectively) [6], [8], [10], [13]–[16] and a group of undifferentiated chromosomes that are mostly found in southern Europe (Table S2). An expansion of E-M35 carriers, possibly from the Middle East as proposed by other Authors [14], and split into two branches separated by the geographic barrier of the Mediterranean Sea, would explain this geographic pattern. However, the absence of E-V68* and E-V257* in the Middle East (Table S2) makes a maritime spread between northern Africa and southern Europe a more plausible hypothesis. How can this be? This is most intriguing, really. And it is worth hence considering which populations harbor these two paraphyletic clusters: E-V68* (E1b1b1a*) is found only in Sardinians. E-V257* (E1b1b1b*) is found (at low frequencies) in a larger array of populations: Iberians (Cantabrians and Andalusians), Corsicans, Sardinians, Marrakesh Berbers and Borana (Oromo) from Kenya. For comparison with their larger sister clades (and in general Y-DNA E), I include here fig. 1 from Semino 2004, after annotated current YSOGG nomenclature (in red) and, where needed, the new proposed nomenclature of this paper (in blue): Notice that the actual distribution of these lineages is somewhat imprecise, for example, if you look at the more detailed compilation by Argiedude, you will notice that E-M81 in Iberia has a mostly Western distribution, with some presence in the East but very low in the SE, it is not the simplistic South-North cline depicted above (E-M78 follows a very similar pattern). It may be the same in other areas. I would think that this maritime migration proposed for these two paragroups, is highly suggestive of a flow into Iberia in the context of the Oranian (or Iberomaurusian) culture genesis in North Africa and the related changes (back-tip and wings in arrow heads notably) in the Iberian Gravetto-Solutrean complex, which influenced West Iberia up to Asturias but not for example the Basque area, which remained closer to the Aquitanian and Occitan Solutrean (a purer variant of this techno-culture, not influenced by Gravettian, which appears intrusive in any case, nor the Aterian-Dabban North African substrate). As I have said before in many occasions, I strongly suspect that this prehistorical episode is responsible for the mtDNA H and V in North Africa, as well as from mtDNA U6 and probably also some L(xM,N) in Iberia. Similarly it is probable that the small presence of Y-DNA R1b and I in North Africa (which must be somewhat old if we have to judge from the Guanche mummies DNA) and the presence of Y-DNA E1b1 in Iberia (with "strange" extension towards the NW specially) dates from this Paleolithic episode, which happened around the Last Glacial Maximum. The flow to Corsica and Sardinia might well be of Megalithic age. I must admit that just a few years ago I would have been most surprised if anyone would have told me that the presence of African lineages in Iberia and other European locations was a proof of the deep Paleolithic roots of European Y-DNA (and mtDNA). Nobody told me... but it seems it is the case. Overall haplogroup E distribution Just for the reference, I am closing this brief review with a map of the overall distribution of haplogroup E, taken from Chiaroni 2009: Notice how the European and West Asian presence of this major haplogroup is just an epiphenomenon in an otherwise clearly African clade.

=> 30,000 years ago (in the Middle East); E1b1b => 26,000 years ago (in southern Africa); I => 25,000 years ago (in the Balkans); R1a1 => 21,000 years ago (in southern Russia); R1b =>…

A team of scientists has recovered part of the genome of two individuals who were alive in the Mesolithic Period, 7,000 years ago. The remains were found at La Braña-Arintero site, located at Valdelugueros (León), Spain. The study results indicate that current Iberian populations do not come from these recently discovered humans.

An international team led by researchers at Uppsala University reports a surprising discovery from the genomes of eight Iberian Stone-Age farmer remains. The analyses revealed that early Iberian farmers are the closest ancestors to modern-day Basques, in contrast previous hypotheses that linked Basques to earlier pre-farming groups.

Modern humans have been living in the Iberian Peninsula for many thousands of years. This all leads to a rich history that can get kind of complicated to understand completely. In this post, we'll discuss the Iberian Peninsula people from a DNA perspective.

The largest study to date of ancient DNA from the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Portugal and Spain) offers new insights into the populations that lived in this region over the last 8,000 years. The most startling discovery suggests that local Y chromosomes were almost completely replaced during the Bronze Age.

Die Ausbreitung von Kupfer und Bronze Der Beginn der Kupferverarbeitung markiert eine neue Stufe der Kultur. Vermutlich war es die leuchtende grüne Farbe verwitternden Kupfers das den Menschen ins …

A study is throwing new light on the population and history of Neolithic Britain. It provides evidence that Stonehenge’s builders were the descendants of farmers who had temporarily settled in modern-day Iberia but originated in what is now Turkey.

Unique cultures have existed for thousands of years on what is now the Spanish-speaking portion of the Iberian Peninsula

There is a brand new paper on Y-DNA haplogroup E1b1: B. Trombetta et al., A New Topology of the Human Y Chromosome Haplogroup E1b1 (E-P2) Revealed through the Use of Newly Characterized Binary Polymorphisms. PLoS ONE 2011. Open access. The new phylogeny is available in the graphic at the left (B, click to expand). And it includes the following changes: Haplogroup reorganization E1b1c is now known to be part of a shared upstream haplogroup with E1b1a, which become E1b1a2 and E1b1a1, respectively. In this clade a new downstream haplogroup is also described by the name E1b1a1g1d (V39). The other haplogroup E1b1b, also sees some changes in its downstream clades: two new small subclades are described: E1b1b1f (V42) and E1b1b1g (V92). Former E1b1b1f (P72) becomes now part of the somewhat larger haplogroup E1b1b1e (M293). Also a new small clade is described by the SNP V23 and named E1b1b1c1c. In this major lineage, maybe more intriguing is the finding that the two haplogroups with notable presence in Europe, are now subsumed into larger clades: E1b1b1a (V68) and E1b1b1b (V257). These two haplogroups are notable because: Within E-M35, there are striking parallels between two haplogroups, E-V68 and E-V257. Both contain a lineage which has been frequently observed in Africa (E-M78 and E-M81, respectively) [6], [8], [10], [13]–[16] and a group of undifferentiated chromosomes that are mostly found in southern Europe (Table S2). An expansion of E-M35 carriers, possibly from the Middle East as proposed by other Authors [14], and split into two branches separated by the geographic barrier of the Mediterranean Sea, would explain this geographic pattern. However, the absence of E-V68* and E-V257* in the Middle East (Table S2) makes a maritime spread between northern Africa and southern Europe a more plausible hypothesis. How can this be? This is most intriguing, really. And it is worth hence considering which populations harbor these two paraphyletic clusters: E-V68* (E1b1b1a*) is found only in Sardinians. E-V257* (E1b1b1b*) is found (at low frequencies) in a larger array of populations: Iberians (Cantabrians and Andalusians), Corsicans, Sardinians, Marrakesh Berbers and Borana (Oromo) from Kenya. For comparison with their larger sister clades (and in general Y-DNA E), I include here fig. 1 from Semino 2004, after annotated current YSOGG nomenclature (in red) and, where needed, the new proposed nomenclature of this paper (in blue): Notice that the actual distribution of these lineages is somewhat imprecise, for example, if you look at the more detailed compilation by Argiedude, you will notice that E-M81 in Iberia has a mostly Western distribution, with some presence in the East but very low in the SE, it is not the simplistic South-North cline depicted above (E-M78 follows a very similar pattern). It may be the same in other areas. I would think that this maritime migration proposed for these two paragroups, is highly suggestive of a flow into Iberia in the context of the Oranian (or Iberomaurusian) culture genesis in North Africa and the related changes (back-tip and wings in arrow heads notably) in the Iberian Gravetto-Solutrean complex, which influenced West Iberia up to Asturias but not for example the Basque area, which remained closer to the Aquitanian and Occitan Solutrean (a purer variant of this techno-culture, not influenced by Gravettian, which appears intrusive in any case, nor the Aterian-Dabban North African substrate). As I have said before in many occasions, I strongly suspect that this prehistorical episode is responsible for the mtDNA H and V in North Africa, as well as from mtDNA U6 and probably also some L(xM,N) in Iberia. Similarly it is probable that the small presence of Y-DNA R1b and I in North Africa (which must be somewhat old if we have to judge from the Guanche mummies DNA) and the presence of Y-DNA E1b1 in Iberia (with "strange" extension towards the NW specially) dates from this Paleolithic episode, which happened around the Last Glacial Maximum. The flow to Corsica and Sardinia might well be of Megalithic age. I must admit that just a few years ago I would have been most surprised if anyone would have told me that the presence of African lineages in Iberia and other European locations was a proof of the deep Paleolithic roots of European Y-DNA (and mtDNA). Nobody told me... but it seems it is the case. Overall haplogroup E distribution Just for the reference, I am closing this brief review with a map of the overall distribution of haplogroup E, taken from Chiaroni 2009: Notice how the European and West Asian presence of this major haplogroup is just an epiphenomenon in an otherwise clearly African clade.

Genetics studies also supported a prehistoric connection between the two continents across the strait of Gibraltar.

An international team led by researchers at Uppsala University reports a surprising discovery from the genomes of eight Iberian Stone-Age farmer remains. The analyses revealed that early Iberian farmers are the closest ancestors to modern-day Basques, in contrast previous hypotheses that linked Basques to earlier pre-farming groups.

A study of 8,000 years of genetics from Spain and Portugal yields a surprisingly complex picture of the inhabitants' ancestry.

The Iberian Peninsula has a complex history. Here, the authors analyse the genetic structure of the modern Iberian population at fine scale, revealing historical population movements associated with the time of Muslim rule.

Distribution maps of autosomal DNA in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Genetic history of the Iberian peninsula and the various ethnic groups that have contributed to the modern Spanish and Portuguese gene pool.