Haplogroup E-P2, also known as E1b1, is a human Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup. E-P2 has two basal branches, E-V38 and E-M215. E-P2 had an ancient presence in East Africa and the Levant; presently, it is primarily distributed in Africa where it may have originated, and occurs at lower frequencies in the Middle East and Europe.

Semino et al. (2004) suggested an origin in East Africa: "Both phylogeography and microsatellite variance suggest that E-P2 and its derivative, E-M35, probably originated in eastern Africa."^[2] Trombetta et al. (2011) also suggested an origin in East Africa:

The new topology here reported has important implications as to the origins of the haplogroup E-P2. Using the principle of the phylogeographic parsimony, the resolution of the E-M215 trifurcation in favor of a common ancestor of E-M2 and E-M329 strongly supports the hypothesis that haplogroup E-P2 originated in eastern Africa, as previously suggested, and that chromosomes E-M2, so frequently observed in sub-Saharan Africa, trace their descent to a common ancestor present in eastern Africa.^[3]

Natufian remains were found to have carried haplogroup E1b1 (1/5; 20%).^[4]

At Mota Cave, in Ethiopia, the remains of an ancient Ethiopian male, which was dated to 4500 BP, carried haplogroups E1b1 and L3x2a.^[5][6]

E-P2 is now found mostly in Africa, mainly in the form of its predominant subclades E-M215 and E-V38. E-M215 is more common in Northern Africa and the Horn of Africa, and is also found at lower frequencies in the Middle East, Europe and Southern Africa. E-V38 is more common in West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa and the African Great Lakes, and occurs at low frequencies in North Africa and Middle East.

The paraclade, referred to as E-P2*, and including cases which are neither in E-V38 or E-M215 are either rare or nonexistent. So far none have been found.^[3]

Semino et al. (2004) found E-P2 (xM35,xM2) in 10.4% of 48 Ethiopian Amhara, 12.8% of 78 Ethiopian Oromo, 1.9% of 53 South African Bantu, and 2.9% of 139 Senegalese.^[7]

Wood et al. (2005) have reported finding E-P2(xP1, xM35) in 11% (1/9) of a sample of Oromo from Ethiopia, 11% (1/9) of a sample of Iraqw from Tanzania, 10% (2/20) of a mixed sample of speakers of various South Semitic languages from Ethiopia, 6% (1/18) of a sample of Amhara from Ethiopia, 3% (1/30) of a sample of Ewe from Ghana, 3% (1/32) of a sample of Fante from Ghana, and 3% (1/34) of a sample of Wolof from Gambia/Senegal.^[8]

Stefflova et al. (2009) reported one individual out of a sample of 199 African American men from Philadelphia with E-P2 (xM35, xM2).^[9]

Cruciani et al. (2002) found E-P2 (xM35, xM2) in: 18% of 22 Ethiopian Jews, 2% of 49 Mossi from Burkina Faso, 3% of 37 Rimaibe also from Burkina Faso, and 6% of 17 Fulbe from Cameroon.^[10]

Semino et al. (2002) found E-P2 (xM35, xM2) in 18.2% of 88 Ethiopians.^[11][12]

Moran et al. (2004) found E-P2 (xM35, xM2) in Ethiopian athletes and control groups and reported the following results; General control : 4%(4/95), Arsi control : 8%(7/85), 5-10K : 22%(5/23) and Track and Field: 11%(2/11).^[13]