A thorough DNA examination of Balkan inhabitants from 1 to 1000 CE challenges the long-held belief in Roman influence in the region, revealing an absence of Italian genetic markers. The study instead identifies significant genetic contributions from Western Anatolia, Europe, and the Pontic-Kazakh Steppe. A prominent aspect of this genetic makeup is the Slavic migration, which has significantly influenced the genetic landscape of contemporary Balkan populations. Source: SciTechPost.com
This transformative research contradicts earlier beliefs regarding Roman impact in the Balkans, indicating a varied genetic composition mainly shaped by Slavic migrations, as opposed to Italian genetic contributions.
Contrary to the Roman Empire’s vast military and cultural dominance over the Balkan peninsula, DNA samples from individuals residing in the area between 1 and 1000 CE show no genetic traces of Iron Age Italian lineage. A research paper released on December 7 in the journal Cell highlights multiple migratory waves from Western Anatolia, central and northern Europe, and the Pontic-Kazakh Steppe during the Roman era.
The Significance of Slavic Migration
Starting from the 7th century CE, which aligns with the decline of the Western Roman Empire, a considerable influx of Eastern European individuals, likely associated with Slavic-speaking groups, led to the modern Balkan populations possessing between 30% and 60% Slavic ancestry.
A skull from Viminacium, belonging to an individual of East African descent, was discovered alongside an oil lamp adorned with an eagle, a symbol associated with Jupiter. Credit: Miodrag (Mike) Grbic
Senior researcher and paleogenomicist Carles Lalueza-Fox, from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE:CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra) and Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, notes, “We observed this Slavic migration genetic signal throughout the Balkans, which could bear significant socio-political implications, given the region’s history of identity-linked conflicts.”
Ancient DNA studies typically concentrate on pre-history, yet when combined with historical and archaeological data, they can offer valuable insights into more recent historical eras.
Ancient DNA: Revealing Historical Insights
“Ancient DNA can shed considerable light on historical periods, particularly in areas with limited or potentially biased historical records,” remarks lead author and population geneticist Iñigo Olalde of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). “For instance, most historical records from the Balkans are Roman because the Slavs of that period did not have a written tradition.”
This image showcases the Mausoleum of Viminacium. Credit: Carles Lalueza-Foz
Investigating the Balkans’ Demographic Past
While previous research has delved into the ancestry of individuals in Italy and England during and after the Roman Empire’s fall, the demographic and ancestral history of the Balkans during this period remains less understood. “This area, being a distant frontier of the Roman Empire, presents an interesting case study for understanding interactions with peoples outside the Empire and testing concepts like globalization,” explains Olalde.
The study involved extracting DNA from 136 ancient individuals unearthed from 20 different Balkan sites, encompassing large Roman cities, military fortifications, and smaller rural settlements. The research spanned three key periods: the Roman Empire’s expansion and peak (1–250 CE), the late Imperial era (circa 250–550 CE), and the period following the Western Empire’s collapse (550–1000 CE).
Methodology and Startling Findings
The research team worked with local archaeologists and historians to contextualize the genetic findings culturally and historically. They meticulously documented burial types and items buried with the individuals, including coins, jewelry, pottery, tools, and weapons. Radiocarbon dating of 38 ancient individuals provided isotopic data, offering insights into their diets.
A photograph of a Roman aqueduct that served Viminacium, a major Roman city, is shown. Credit: Carles Lalueza-Foz
The team was surprised to find no Italian Iron Age genetic traces in the Balkan populations during the Roman Empire’s zenith. Instead, there was an influx from Western Anatolia during this time. The study also identified individual migrations into the Balkans from both inside and outside the Roman Empire. A notable discovery was a 16-year-old male of 100% East African ancestry, excavated from a necropolis in a major Roman city, indicating his upbringing in a distant location.
“This unique Eastern African individual we analyzed also displayed dietary patterns distinct from others in the same necropolis, suggesting an upbringing outside the Roman Empire,” states Lalueza-Fox.
The Late Imperial Period and Slavic Impact
Between 250 and 550 CE, the study noted migrants with mixed ancestry from Northern Europe and the Pontic-Kazakh steppe. “These findings suggest multi-ethnic groups moving together, likely forming confederations,” says David Reich,
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Balkan genetic history
What does the recent DNA study reveal about Balkan history?
The study shows that contrary to previous beliefs of strong Roman influence, the Balkans have a diverse genetic heritage primarily shaped by Slavic migrations and influences from Western Anatolia, Europe, and the Pontic-Kazakh Steppe, rather than Italian ancestry.
How does this study challenge previous assumptions about Roman influence in the Balkans?
The research contradicts earlier views by finding no genetic evidence of Iron Age Italian ancestry in the Balkan population from 1 to 1000 CE, despite the Roman Empire’s military and cultural dominance in the region.
What significant migrations influenced the genetic makeup of the Balkan population?
Significant migrations from Western Anatolia, central and northern Europe, and the Pontic-Kazakh Steppe have shaped the Balkan population. Particularly from the 7th century CE, large-scale Slavic migrations significantly influenced the genetic landscape of modern Balkan peoples.
What unique discovery was made regarding an individual of East African ancestry in the Balkans?
A unique finding was the discovery of a 16-year-old male of 100% East African ancestry in a Roman city necropolis, indicating a diverse range of individual migrations into the Balkans during the Roman Empire.
How does ancient DNA research provide insights into historical periods?
Ancient DNA research, especially when combined with historical and archaeological data, offers valuable insights into historical periods, helping to understand the genetic makeup and migrations in regions with limited or biased historical records.
More about Balkan genetic history
- Balkan Genetic Study Overview
- Impact of Slavic Migrations
- Understanding Ancient DNA Research
- Roman Empire’s Influence in Balkans
- Discoveries in Balkan Ancestry
4 comments
Its amazing how DNA can tell us so much about the past, I mean, finding out about migrations and ancestries we never knew about!
wow, this is super interesting, never knew that the Balkans had such a complex genetic history. Always thought it was mostly Roman influence.
I read about this on another site too, the part about the East African individual in the Balkans is mind-blowing, really shows how diverse the Roman Empire was.
Really makes you think, how much history is still hidden in our genes. Cant wait to read more studies like this.