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> However, Cheddar Man had “ancestral” versions of all these genes, strongly suggesting he would have had “dark to black” skin tone, but combined with blue eyes

> However, Cheddar Man had “ancestral” versions of all these genes, strongly suggesting he would have had “dark to black” skin tone, but combined with blue eyes. That's a pretty big assumption to make and reeks of pseudoscience. Edit, more assumptions here: > The results pointed to a Middle Eastern origin for Cheddar Man, suggesting that his ancestors would have left Africa, moved into the Middle East and later headed west into Europe, Middle Eastern origin dating to the Neolithic, but they assume he had to have recently migrated from Africa, despite the fact that complex societies were developing in the Middle East during the time period described, and those populations were distinctly Eurasian. So multiple 'assumptions', both of which are at best a stretch, to push this agenda. If his origin is indeed Middle Eastern who's to say he's not from Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Iran or even the Caucasus? The only 'proof' of African origin is that he's Middle Eastern...

kpil 9y ago
It's a too good story not to be told...
kls 9y ago
saying the connection often drawn between Britishness and whiteness was “not an immutable truth. It has always changed and will change” Article and scientist went from science to agenda and advocacy pretty quick.
Real_S 9y ago
Yes, the assumptions they have made to draw their conclusions are highly suspect, especially considering that we have a limited understanding of the genetics of pigmentation. Looks like they are overstretching. My suspicion is that this individual was at least somewhat lighter-skinned than depicted in their recreation. Have you ever seen someone with blue eyes and very dark skin? They exist, but are rare. But this is just a hunch. My opinion here is not conclusive because they have not released any methods or data. Why not? From the wiki on Cheddar Man, looks like they may have had DNA contamination issues in the past: "The 1996 results were not subjected to peer review and it was suggested that the sequence was from contaminating modern DNA." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Man#DNA_testing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Man#DNA_testing Ancient DNA analyses and quantitative predictions are both very difficult, so their results should be considered suspect until actual methods and data are made available.

kpil 9y ago

It's a too good story not to be told...

kls 9y ago

saying the connection often drawn between Britishness and whiteness was “not an immutable truth. It has always changed and will change” Article and scientist went from science to agenda and advocacy pretty quick.

Real_S 9y ago

Yes, the assumptions they have made to draw their conclusions are highly suspect, especially considering that we have a limited understanding of the genetics of pigmentation. Looks like they are overstretching. My suspicion is that this individual was at least somewhat lighter-skinned than depicted in their recreation. Have you ever seen someone with blue eyes and very dark skin? They exist, but are rare. But this is just a hunch. My opinion here is not conclusive because they have not released any methods or data. Why not? From the wiki on Cheddar Man, looks like they may have had DNA contamination issues in the past: "The 1996 results were not subjected to peer review and it was suggested that the sequence was from contaminating modern DNA." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Man#DNA_testing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Man#DNA_testing Ancient DNA analyses and quantitative predictions are both very difficult, so their results should be considered suspect until actual methods and data are made available.