10/08/2024
It is true that in recent years there has been an increase in genetic and archaeological research that provides new insights into the origins of the ancient peoples of the Balkans and their connections with the present-day population. There are several pieces of evidence that support the hypothesis that the Dorians and other ancient Greek tribes may have a historical connection with the ancestors of today's Albanians. Here are some key points:
1. Linguistic relationship
• There is a linguistic theory that suggests that the Doric dialects of ancient Greece may share similarities with the Albanian dialects (especially the Tosk dialect). This is based on phonological and grammatical similarities found when studying ancient inscriptions and the evolution of the Albanian language.
• Albanian is an Indo-European language considered to be a descendant of ancient Illyrian, a language spoken in the Western Balkans. Although the direct linguistic connection between Dorians and Albanians remains controversial, there are theories that suggest a possible common Proto-Indo-European root.
2. Genetic research
• New genetic studies have shown that the modern population of the Balkans is genetically linked to the ancient Illyrians, Greeks and other peoples of the region. These studies suggest that there is a certain continuity between the ancient and modern populations in this region. In particular, the links between the ancient Illyrians, Thracians and the modern Albanians are highlighted in genetic studies.
• Genetic analyses of ancient remains from Greece and the Balkans show that there is a close genetic connection between the ancient peoples of this region and the modern population. This could indicate that the Dorians, who came to Greece from the north, may have had kinship with the Illyrians and thus with the ancestors of today's Albanians.
3. Archaeological Evidence
• Archaeological finds in Albania and Greek Epirus provide further evidence of a close cultural and possibly ethnic connection between the ancient Illyrians and the Dorians. Similarities in burial rituals, pottery styles and fortification construction suggest that there was a cultural exchange between the peoples of northern Greece and modern-day Albania over the centuries.
• Particularly in the region of Epirus, which was important to both the ancient Greeks and the Illyrians, there are archaeological sites that show links to both cultures. This supports the idea that the Dorians may have come from a region inhabited by Illyrian tribes.
4. Historical Sources
• There are ancient sources that support the theory that the Dorians migrated to Greece through the mountains of Epirus. This may suggest a connection between the ancient Greeks and the Illyrians who lived in Epirus at the time. Some ancient historians and geographers mention that the Dorians originally came from the north before settling in Greece.
Conclusion:
While the exact relationships between the Dorians and the ancestors of modern-day Albanians are still a matter of research, there is evidence from the fields of linguistics, genetics, archaeology and history that suggests a possible connection. The idea that the Doric dialects are related to modern Albanian, particularly the Tosk dialect, is an interesting one, but is still being further investigated. Genetic and archaeological research is increasingly providing evidence of continuity between the ancient peoples of the Balkans and today's populations.
It remains to be seen what further discoveries will be made in the coming years, but research is already showing a fascinating intertwining of the history and cultures of this region.
https://albania360.com/who-are-albanians-genetically-closest-to/
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.05.543790v1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorians
