Written by Petrit Latifi

Albanians as the Autochthonous Population of the Balkans Compared to Migrant Greeks, Slavs, and Turks

The **Albanians** are regarded as one of the oldest populations in the Balkans due to their genetic and historical continuity. While many other Balkan groups, such as the **Greeks**, **Slavs**, and **Turks**, arrived through migrations or conquests, genetic studies suggest that the Albanians descend from the **Illyrians**, who have been present in the region since the **Neolithic period**.

### Reasons Why Albanians Are Considered Autochthonous:

1. **Illyrian Descent**: Modern genetic research indicates that present-day Albanians have a direct connection to the **Illyrians**, an ancient people native to the western Balkans. This genetic continuity may extend back over **8,000 years**, making Albanians one of the few populations in the Balkans to have lived there continuously without significant migrations or outside influences ([Ancient DNA reveals the origins of the Albanians](https://www.biorxiv.org/…/2023.06.05.543790v1.full.pdf), [Who are Albanians genetically closest to?](https://albania360.com/who-are-albanians-genetically…/)).

2. **Greek Migration**: The **Greeks** migrated to the southern Balkans around **2000 BCE** as part of the Indo-European migrations. This migration contributed to the spread of Indo-European cultures across Europe and Asia ([Ancient Greek Civilization Overview](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ancient-Greek-civilization)).

3. **Slavic Migration**: In the **6th and 7th centuries CE**, the **Slavs** migrated into the Balkans, settling in areas that include present-day Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia. This migration significantly altered the region’s ethnic and cultural landscape ([History of the Slavs in the Balkans](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-the-Balkans)).

4. **Ottoman Conquest**: The arrival of the **Turks** in the **14th century** as part of the Ottoman Empire introduced another wave of migrants and rulers to the region, significantly changing the demographic structure, particularly in places like Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria ([Ottoman Influence in the Balkans](https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire)).

### Conclusion:

In contrast to the Greeks, Slavs, and Turks, who all migrated to the Balkans or arrived through conquests, the **Albanians** can be considered the **only autochthonous** population in the Balkans. Their long-standing genetic continuity and descent from the ancient Illyrians support the theory that they have inhabited the region since prehistoric times.

### Sources:

– [Ancient DNA reveals the origins of the Albanians](https://www.biorxiv.org/…/2023.06.05.543790v1.full.pdf)

– [Who are Albanians genetically closest to?](https://albania360.com/who-are-albanians-genetically…/)

– [Oxford researchers’ study on Albanian origins](https://alfapress.al/…/oxford-researchers-publish-the…)

– [History of the Slavs in the Balkans](https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-the-Balkans)

– [Ancient Greek Civilization Overview](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ancient-Greek-civilization)

– [Ottoman Influence in the Balkans](https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire)