Y-Chromosomal Adam

The Y-chromosomal most recent common ancestor, also known as Y-chromosomal Adam, is the patrilineal MRCA from whom all living humans are descended through an unbroken line of male ancestors. Estimates of his existence range from 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, aligning with the emergence of anatomically modern humans. The title of Y-MRCA is not fixed to a single individual and can shift over time as paternal lineages become extinct. The age estimate of Y-MRCA is influenced by the most archaic known haplogroup, with current estimates ranging between 160,000 and 300,000 years. The method of estimating the Y-MRCA's DNA sequence and his place in the family tree is subject to future revisions based on further sampling of Y chromosomes and the discovery of deep-rooting mutations. The Y-MRCA's DNA sequence is determined by applying a molecular clock to human Y-chromosomes, with mutations serving as markers to identify shared patrilineal relationships. The estimates of Y-MRCA's age have evolved over time, with early estimates ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, later revised downward to about 59,000 years, and then corrected upward to approximately 120,000 to 160,000 years ago in the early 2010s.