Illyrians early iron age 18 raw DNA samples 23andme format

The Illyrians were a group of Indo-European tribes who inhabited the western Balkans and eastern Adriatic coast from the Late Bronze Age until the Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE. Known for their warrior culture, seafaring skills, and rich material culture, the Illyrians were an influential people in the ancient Mediterranean. Illyrians inhabited a region known for its mountainous terrain, encompassing parts of the western Balkans and eastern Adriatic coast. This area provided natural defenses, while proximity to the Adriatic allowed for seafaring and trade with the Mediterranean world. Notable Illyrian centers included the city-states of Scodra (modern-day Shkoder in Albania) and Daorson in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as fortified hilltop settlements known as oppida.

The illyrians had contacts with the Celts and the Greeks, but their linguistic ancestors were most likely a remote branch of indo-europeans stemming from the Yamnaya culture of russia.

The Illyrian tribes became prominent in the Balkans around 1200 BCE and maintained a distinct cultural identity until the Roman conquest. Their society reached its peak between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE, marked by significant trade and military conflicts, particularly with the Greeks and later the Romans.

The Romans, drawn to the Adriatic for its strategic importance, eventually conquered the Illyrians in a series of campaigns by 168 BCE, incorporating their territories into the Roman Empire.

The Illyrian society was tribal, with numerous clans or extended families forming the basis of their social structure. Chiefs or kings ruled these tribes, and power often resided with a warrior elite. The role of women in Illyrian society was relatively prominent compared to other ancient cultures; some tribes even had female leaders or queens, such as Teuta of the Ardiaei tribe. Social organization was hierarchical, with warriors at the top, followed by artisans, traders, and farmers.

The Roman conquest largely absorbed Illyrian culture, but elements persisted, influencing later Balkan societies. Many modern Balkan peoples, especially Albanians, consider the Illyrians among their ancestors.

For this video, I gathered the raw genomes of 18 illyrians from 8th to 2nd century BCE, and ran those DNA samples through my trait predictor tool for DNA analysis.