07-02-2018, 02:20 PM
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Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Researchers from London's Natural History Museum extracted DNA from Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest complete skeleton, which was discovered in 1903.
University College London researchers then used the subsequent genome analysis for a facial reconstruction.
It underlines the fact that the lighter skin characteristic of modern Europeans is a relatively recent phenomenon.
No-one's entirely sure why pale skin evolved in these farmers, but their cereal-based diet was probably deficient in Vitamin D. This would have required agriculturalists to absorb this essential nutrient from sunlight through their skin.
07-02-2018, 02:25 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
It underlines the fact that the lighter skin characteristic of modern Europeans is a relatively recent phenomenon.Ahhhh - so we too are immigrants. I wonder what the 'little englanders' and 'brexiteers' will make of that little gem of information Azz matey???
07-02-2018, 02:32 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Originally Posted by Uncle Joe
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Ahhhh - so we too are immigrants. I wonder what the 'little englanders' and 'brexiteers' will make of that little gem of information Azz matey???
07-02-2018, 02:36 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Originally Posted by Meg
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As you have stated in previous posts that you voted to leave the EU perhaps you can enlighten us.
07-02-2018, 02:44 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Originally Posted by Uncle Joe
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Yes, I voted leave, but then I was opposed to the Common Market in 1971 and voted against when Harold Wilson gave us the referendum in 1976 because, I am an 'Internationalist' and am not confined to a narrow 'Western Europe' club.
Fascinating to think in the context of global migration just how early Man got around and where he settled.
07-02-2018, 02:47 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Originally Posted by Azz
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Interesting to learn where pale skin came from..
Their skin may have evolved naturally to contain a certain amount of melanin to help give protection to some (but not all) effects of the sun.
Once they reached the cold northern countries, a darkly pigmented skin would not have been so advantageous and could actually have been a hindrance to absorbing some vitamins.
Natural evolution is a fascinating thing
.
07-02-2018, 02:51 PM
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Re: Cheddar Man: DNA shows early Briton had dark skin
Originally Posted by Uncle Joe
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Yes, I voted leave, but then I was opposed to the Common Market in 1971 and voted against when Harold Wilson gave us the referendum in 1976 because, I am an 'Internationalist' and am not confined to a narrow 'Western Europe' club.
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