The maternal haplogroup J1c2c traces back to a woman who lived approximately 4,500 years ago. Her ancestors migrated to Europe from the Middle East as the Ice Age receded between 14,000 and 11,000 years ago. Today, J1c2 is found almost exclusively within Europe, and researchers speculate that the traces of J1c2 in the Middle East are due to eastward migrations of people much later in human history.