Dowling DNA 2: Haplogroup R1b - The Artisans

All human life started in Africa. Many families and social moved around the continent until finally some left through the area now known as Egypt.

These groups adapted to the general nomadic lifestyle or the areas in which they came to settle. As they evolved over thousands of years so their genes reflected these changes from the original African profile. A group of people that share a distinctive set of DNA characteristics is called a haplogroup.

The Artisan haplogroup R1b are first identified in Asia from about 40,000 years ago at the dawn of the Aurignacian culture. This was a subtle technological culture that developed flint tools, beads, jewelry and may well have been the first to start cave painting.

Part of the Artisan group, the Cro-magnons, wore clothes and built huts as well as painted. During the great ice age the Artisans were forced south into Italy and the Balkans before continuing their trek west after the thaw.

About 70% of English residents are members of the Artisan group but there are still major numbers in France, Ireland, Portugal,Scotland, Spain and Wales. A branch of the Artisans, the Atlantic Modal Haplotype, are particularly prevalent in Ireland and Wales. It is believed that this group moved with the ancient Celts who were a very mixed nomadic group.

Because of more recent migrations Artisans can be found in large numbers in South America and probably Australia.