Proto-Somali

Several proto-Somali ancient wealthy city-states emerged such as Malao, Mundus, Mosylon and, Opone, which competed with the Sabaeans, Parthians, and Axumites for the wealthy Indo-Greco-Roman trade also flourished in Somalia.[3] Somali sailors and merchants were the main suppliers of gold, silver, gemstones, frankincense, myrrh, acacia gum, salt, livestock, ivory, feathers, hide (skin), and spices, items that were considered valuable luxuries.

Other notable proto-Somali city-states included Avalite, Bulhar, Botiala, Essina, Damo, Hannassa, Sarapion, Nikon, Toniki, Gondal, Macajilayn, Salweyn, and Miandi. Ancient Greek travelers including the likes of Strabo and Cosmas Indicopleustes made visits to the Somali peninsula between the 1st and 5th century. The Greeks referred to Somalis as the Barbaria and their land as Barbars.[4]

In Somalis, the Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) was estimated to be 4000–5000 years (2,500 BCE) for the haplogroup E-M78 cluster γ and 2100–2200 years (150 BCE) for Somali T-M184 bearers.[5]

Deep subclade E-Y18629 is commonly found in Somalis and has a formation date of 3,600 YBP (years before present) and a TMRCA of 2,600 YBP.[6]

There were many examples of proto-Somali states. Some of these include:

• Sesea
• Ajan Coast
• Rauso
• Aromata