[blueplum]

start with haplogroup R1b (for Red) with a gene mutation on chromosome 16, lower UV exposure levels above the 45th parallel, (and, a bit of neanderthal) and voila, red hair.

http://www.eupedia.com/genetics/origins_of_red_hair.shtml

and:

“There is now strong evidence that both R1a and R1b people contributed to the diffusion of the A111T mutation of the SLC24A5, which explains apporximately 35% of skin tone difference between Europeans and Africans”

http://www.eupedia.com/europe/Haplogroup_R1a_Y-DNA.shtml#pigmentation

[blam]

Thanks. That’s interesting info.