At a glance
- When
- about 1600 to 1100 BCE
- Where
- mainland Greece and the Aegean
- Entries in our catalogue
- 108 (73 individual genomes)
- Countries of the finds
- 1
What ancient DNA shows
The 2017 study that sequenced Minoans found that Mycenaeans shared the same core of Neolithic Aegean and Anatolian farmer ancestry and Caucasus and Iran related ancestry, plus a modest share of ancestry ultimately related to the hunter-gatherers of Eastern Europe and Siberia, which arrived through the steppe.
Later work showed that this steppe related ancestry was present but uneven in Bronze Age Greece, varying between individuals and sites, which fits gradual arrival rather than a single invasion.
Their genetic legacy today
Present-day Greeks share most of their ancestry with the Mycenaeans, according to the same research, with some later additions.
Mycenaeans samples in the MYDNATLAS catalogue
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 108 entries whose culture label names the Mycenaeans. 73 of them are individual genomes; the others are reference entries, such as averages of several individuals, and samples flagged as outliers. Half of the 108 dated entries fall between 1,475 BCE and 1,300 BCE, with a median of 1,400 BCE.
Where they were found
| Country | Entries |
|---|---|
| Greece | 108 |
Most common labels
| Label | Entries |
|---|---|
| Mycenaean | 42 |
| Mycenaean (Aidonia, Nemea/Corinthia, Greece) | 13 |
| Mycenaean (Mygdalia, Patras, Achaea, Greece) | 9 |
| Mycenaean (Palace of Nestor, Pylos, Messenia, Greece) | 7 |
| Mycenaean (Tiryns, Argolid, Greece) | 5 |
| Mycenaean-period (Lazarides, Aegina, Saronic Gulf, Greece) | 5 |
Measured from the live catalogue on 2026-10-17. Dates are those recorded for each entry; the archaeological dates of the culture are given above. See our data sources for where the samples come from.
Compare your DNA with the Mycenaeans
To see how close you sit to Mycenaeans samples, you need your DNA as G25 coordinates. Download your raw data file from your testing company, convert it, and MYDNATLAS compares your coordinates with these entries and the rest of the catalogue, period by period, in its closest population and mixture tools.
- Download your raw DNA file: step by step for each testing company.
- Upload it from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage or FamilyTreeDNA, or another supported provider.
- Explore the results with the period by period breakdown and closest populations.
Start free: browse the Population Encyclopedia. The Population Encyclopedia is free to browse with a free account; analysing your own DNA needs a paid plan.
Questions
How many Mycenaeans samples does MYDNATLAS hold?
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 108 entries labelled as Mycenaeans, of which 73 are individual genomes; the rest are reference entries such as group averages, and flagged outliers. Figures measured 2026-10-17.
Where were the Mycenaeans samples found?
They come from 1 country, most often Greece. Half of the dated entries fall between 1,475 BCE and 1,300 BCE.
Did steppe ancestry reach Bronze Age Greece?
Yes, in modest and variable amounts. Mycenaean individuals carry some steppe related ancestry that the Minoans studied largely lack, which is consistent with the arrival of Greek speakers from the north.