Ramesses III belonged to Y-DNA haplogroup E1b1a mainly found in West Africa, Central Africa, Southwest Africa, and Southeast Africa. Additional testing suggests his remains may belong to Y-DNA haplogroup E1b1b which split from E1b1a. E1b1b is common in the Levant, Northern Africa, and Rift Valley region today. Ramesses III was second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty and last great New Kingdom king with substantial authority. Study published in December 2012 confirmed his haplogroup. E1b1a indicates sub-Saharan African paternal origin for ancient Egyptian pharaoh. E1b1b distribution points to North African and Near Eastern paternal lineage as alternative. Haplogroups show genetic ties between ancient Egypt and African populations.