Paper 5.9. Haplogroup I

Abstract: I-M170, C-M130, NO-M214 and H2-P56 are potential genetic relics of Homo sapiens who initially colonized the European continent.  Only I-M170 survived and thrived.  C-M130, NO-M214 and H2-P56 disappeared as the result of several demographic processes that included the Last Glacial Maximum, the Holocene expansion of hunter-gatherers, and the Neolithic revolution.  Within the contemporary European linguistic tapestry, I-M170 and its downstream variants are especially useful for deciphering the evolutionary history of Germanic languages and the Basque language isolate.  Their evolutionary history illustrates the considerable time depth that some languages have.  Additionally, the prehistoric evolution of language sometimes reflects successful adaptation to climate change, the isolation of populations from each other, and early farming expansions.