Levites of the Y-Haplogroup E

This project exploring the common roots of individuals belonging to Y chromosome Haplogroup E with a tradition of being Levites. Approximately 10% of Sephardic Levites and 20% of Ashkenazi Levites belong to Haplogroup E. Levites are considered to be those male descendants of Levi, the third son of the patriarch Jacob and paternal ancestor of Aaron, who are not Cohanim. It is estimated that Levites comprise ∼4% of the Jewish people. The Samaritan Levites also belong to Haplogroup E. The project seeks to explore the common heritage of Levites belonging to Haplogroup E.