[gleeaikin]

Some pale complexions were brought to Europe from the Near East, and probably also from Central Asia by successive barbarian invasions. Then there the the 40% of people in the British Isles with the “ginger” gene inherited from the Neanderthals that allowed Sapien women to absorb Vitamin D, grow full hips, and bear live young. Probably some Neanderthal genetics in other Europeans. A while ago there was an article about a 10,000 Briton from the Cornwall area who had dark skin. Certainly those who lived close enough to the sea to get Vitamin D from cod liver and other fish products would not need to have light skin, but those living away from the sea would survive better with light skin.

[gleeaikin]

Should have said 10,000 year old Briton.

[blam]

DNA Reveals: Ancient Britons Had Black Skin, Blue Eyes, And Curly Hair

This is Cheddar Man
(Same mtDNA as my dad's mother, grandma Smith. We all have bright blue eyes, light skin and some curly hair. I'm 6 feet tall, slender build.)

[Red Badger]

Then there the the 40% of people in the British Isles with the “ginger” gene inherited from the Neanderthals that allowed Sapien women to absorb Vitamin D, grow full hips, and bear live young.

They couldn't 'bear live young' before?..................................