Beyond 10,000 ancient human genomes: ancestral origins at the Balkans

Abstract

With more than 10,000 ancient human genomes published in 2023, thanks to new technological developments on DNA sequencing, we are now able to investigate multiple ancestry layers associated to past migrations that have shaped the genomes of modern populations. These studies have been able to unravel past social structures, as well as selective processes, that left genomic marks. In the Balkans, the recent analysis of some hundreds of ancient genomes from the last three thousand years have uncovered the genetic signals of globalisation during the Roman Empire and also the signals of the Slavic migrations after the 6th century BCE. Getting into historical periods, these population movements have strong cultural and even political implications, showing the complex nature of ancestry, genetics and identity. Genetics can offer objective data on human past and yet, their interpretation in terms of identity is complex. A multidisciplinary approach, involving different disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology, history and even linguistics is recommended.