most Macedonian males today (about 75%) belong to genes from the I and R1a haplogroups. BOTH THESE GROUPS OF GENES ARE NOW though to have already been present in the Balkans over 4000 years ago, proving our male ancestors have an ancient and very long history in the balkans. why is this important? because some historians maintain that today's slav-speakers did not reach the balkans until about 600 ad. but, the GROWING BODY OF GENETIC EVIDENCE is undermining this claim and is proving today's Macedonians as the successors of the ancient Macedonians. With this GROWING BODY OF GENETIC EVIDENCE, greece is losing its main argument and the position of the Macedonians is becoming stronger.