The following models present the ancestry composition of several modern Balkan populations using a single, consistent setup. The focus is on showing how different groups relate to one another when analyzed in the same way, making overall ancestry structure directly comparable across populations.
The populations included are Albanians, Greeks (from Macedonia and Athens), Bulgarians, Serbs, and Croatians. Other Balkan populations were not included because suitable datasets are not currently available.
Data and Methodology#
All ancestry models were generated using qpAdm and show strong overall model fit, indicating that the inferred ancestry proportions provide a reliable representation of population structure within the chosen framework.
Albanian and Bulgarian samples were modeled using higher-density (.DG) genotype files with increased SNP coverage, resulting in more reliable and stable estimates. The remaining populations were modeled using standard lower-density (.HO) files, which contain fewer SNPs but remain suitable for population-level comparison within the same framework.
Ancestry Composition#
Across the region, the models show a broadly shared ancestry structure built from the same underlying components. Differences between populations are mainly expressed through shifts in proportions rather than through unique or population-specific layers.
This shared structure reflects a common historical background across the Balkans, shaped by:
- Continuity from native Balkan populations, preserving deep local ancestry — see also the Deep Maniots of southern Greece for an extreme case of patrilineal continuity
- Population movements during the Roman period, linked to the eastern Mediterranean and Anatolia
- Later Slavic migrations, which had a major demographic impact across much of the peninsula
These processes are visible across all populations, with variation reflecting differences in their relative influence.
Regional Context#
Rather than forming isolated profiles, Balkan populations show patterns shaped by repeated interaction and movement across the peninsula over time.
