Y-DNA Haplogroup J2 is divided into two main branches: J2a (defined by M410) and J2b (defined by M12, M102, M221 and M314). From recent reserch study results, we can infer that these two main Haplogroup J2 subclades have had quite different population histories.

It is primarily J2a that is thought to have been associated with the populations responsible for the spread of Agriculture in the Neolithic, radiating out from Anatolia into Europe, the Middle East and India (Sengupta et al. 2006). In contrast, it is thought that there is an association between J2b and the spread of Bronze age culture within Europe, radiating out from the Balkans (Cruciani et al. 2007)
(This does not infer that J2b originated in the Balkans, just that there was a major population expansion that may have radiated out from the Balkans)

Within J2a it has also been recognised that there may have been an association between lineages within J2a2 (M67+) and populations which dispersed by a sea route during the Neolithic period (Semino et al. 2004). (J2a2a M92+ is particularly implicated)

The project's aims are to:
       • Gain a better understanding of how all Haplogroup J2's are related to other Haplogroup J2's
       • Expand the knowledge of what haplotypes are found in the various different sub-clades of J2.
       • Present the project results in a Scientific manner.
       • Maintain sensitivity to project members privacy requirements.

The project also aims to be informative, and help all participants in understanding their haplogroup J2 results