The Yamnaya culture, flourishing on the Pontic-Caspian steppe around 3300 to 2600 BCE, is considered a pivotal force in shaping the genetic history of Europe. As pastoral nomads, the Yamnaya were instrumental in spreading the Indo-European languages, leading to a profound cultural and demographic transformation across the continent. Their migration into Europe, often associated with the early Bronze Age, marked a significant shift in the genetics of Europeans, as they introduced a new ancestry component that blended with the existing Neolithic populations. This Yamnaya-related ancestry is now recognized as a substantial element in the genetic makeup of modern Europeans.

The influence of the Yamnaya on the genetics of Europeans is most evident in the widespread distribution of Indo-European ancestry. As the Yamnaya expanded westward, they brought with them not only their language but also their genetic material, which now constitutes a considerable portion of the gene pool in many European populations. This Indo-European ancestry is especially prominent in the regions that became centers of later Indo-European civilizations, such as the Corded Ware culture in Central Europe and the Bell Beaker culture in Western Europe. Consequently, the Yamnaya culture played a crucial role in shaping the genetic landscape of Europe, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be a focal point in the study of European genetic history.