mtDNA — Maternal Line
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively through the maternal line — from mother to all children. By analysing mtDNA, you can trace your direct maternal line across hundreds of generations. The test is available for both men and women.
Order mtDNA PRO TestSeven Daughters of Eve
H · V · T · K · X · J · U
Seven Daughters of Eve
Geneticist Bryan Sykes named seven fundamental European maternal haplogroups — seven women from whom the vast majority of today's Europeans descend.
Helena (H)
The most widespread maternal line in Europe. Helena lived 20,000 years ago on the coast of southern France. Today, nearly half of all Europeans belong to haplogroup H.
Velda (V)
Velda lived 17,000 years ago in Spain. Haplogroup V is common in northern Spain, Scandinavia and among the Sami people.
Tara (T)
Tara lived 17,000 years ago in Tuscany. Haplogroup T is widespread in Italy, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
Katrine (K)
Katrine lived 15,000 years ago in northern Italy. Haplogroup K is found throughout Europe, especially in the Alps.
Xenia (X)
Xenia lived 25,000 years ago in the Caucasus. Haplogroup X is rare in Europe but also appears among Native Americans — evidence of an ancient migration.
Jasmine (J)
Jasmine lived 10,000 years ago in the Middle East. Haplogroup J came to Europe with Neolithic farmers.
Ursula (U)
Ursula lived 45,000 years ago in Greece — the oldest of the seven daughters. Haplogroup U is widespread across Europe.
Seven Daughters of Eve
Helena · Velda · Tara · Katrine · Xenia · Jasmine · Ursula
Where Does the Concept Come From?
The concept of the "Seven Daughters of Eve" comes from the book by British geneticist Bryan Sykes (2001). Sykes named seven prehistoric women from whom, according to genetic data, the vast majority of today's Europeans descend. Each of these women lived in a different part of Europe at different times — from 45,000 to 10,000 years before the common era.
The Seven Daughters of Eve
Who Can Take This Test
The mtDNA test is available for both men and women — all children inherit mitochondrial DNA from their mother. Unlike the Y-DNA test, there is no gender restriction.
Discover Your Maternal Line
Order the mtDNA PRO test and find out which of the Seven Daughters of Eve you belong to.
Order mtDNA PRO