To understand how one Y chromosomal lineage can have such a wide distribution across such a large proportion of the human race, here is a quote attributed to Genghis Khan : Jason Goldman of Thoughtful Animal reminded me of the 2003 paper, so I thought it would be useful to review it again for new readers. Genghis Khan rose to power about 800 years ago. His empire encouraged cultural pursuits, and even provided women with a degree of power. As we do not exhibit the sexual dimorphism which is the norm in such organisms, it goes to show the plasticity of outcome due to the flexibility of human cultural forms. The existence of these Y chromosomal lineages, which have burst upon the genetic landscape like explosive stars sweeping aside all other variation before them, indicates a periodic “winner-take-all” dynamic in human genetics more reminiscent of hyper-polygynous mammals such as elephant seals. For example, there is the Manchu lineage and the Uí Néill lineage. Since 2003, there have been other cases of “super-Y” lineages. In more quantitative terms, about 10 percent of the men who reside within the borders of the Mongol Empire, as it was at the death of Genghis Khan, may carry his Y chromosome, and so about 0.5 percent of men in the world, about 16 million individuals alive today, do so. Genghis Khan died about 750 years ago, so assuming 25 years per generation, you get about 30 men between the present and that period.
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