DNA analysis conducted at the Natural History Museum on the oldest complete skeleton ever discovered in Britain, known as the Cheddar Man, has revealed that – contrary to common belief – the first modern Britons had darker skin.
The colour of ones skin has always been associated with the geographical origin of a person’s ancestors. These new results show that this is not true. Europeans tendency to be fair skinned came much later than experts originally thought.
The Cheddar Man, whose skeleton was discovered over a century ago, is believed to have lived after the first settlers from continental Europe crossed over in to Britain approximately 10,000 years ago.
Thanks to the development of DNA analysis methods, the current study of the Cheddar Man’s DNA has unveiled that the first modern Britons had darker complexions (nearly black), curly dark hair and blue eyes – not fair skin and hair as previously believed.
These results were made public before the airing of a Channel 4 documentary exploring the results of the analysis.
> Naomi Round
DNA Analysis Reveals First Modern Britons Had Darker Skin
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