Posted on 01/16/2005 12:47:07 PM PST by IGBT
London - Red hair may be the genetic legacy of Neanderthals, according to a new study by British scientists.
Researchers at the John Radcliffe Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford were quoted by The Times as saying the so-called "ginger gene" which gives people red hair, fair skin and freckles could be up to 100 000 years old.
They claim that their discovery points to the gene having originated in Neanderthal man who lived in Europe for 200 000 years before Homo sapien settlers, the ancestors of modern man, arrived from Africa about 40 000 years ago.
Rosalind Harding, the research team leader, told The Times: "The gene is certainly older than 50 000 years and it could be as old as 100 000 years.
"An explanation is that it comes from Neanderthals." It is estimated that at least 10 percent of Scots have red hair and a further 40 percent carry the gene responsible, which could account for their once fearsome reputation as fighters.
Neanderthals have been characterised as migrant hunters and violent cannibals who probably ate most of their meat raw. They were taller and stockier than Homo sapiens, but with shorter limbs, bigger faces and noses, receding chins and low foreheads.
The two species overlapped for a period of time and the Oxford research appears to suggests that they must have successfully interbred for the "ginger gene" to survive. Neanderthals became extinct about 28 000 years ago, the last dying out in southern Spain and southwest France. - Sapa-DPA
That may have just been the first time you actually paid attention to an FR article I sent to you....
My favorite red head in the hair color models.
Red on the head, hot in the bed!
So they were *Neanderthal* mummy drug dealers :-)
At least I have clear skin so you don't have to hunt around for a vein.
"True, they get the black hair from the Spanish invaders."
Shipwrecked Spaniards not invaders. The Spanish influence was the result of the distruction of the Spanish Fleet on the West Coast of Irland after their defeat during the Armada. They're the ancestors of the survivors are commonly called "Black Irish".
A REAL REDHEAD. Rent "Short Cuts" by Robert Altman for confirmation.
Italian redheads are decendants of the Etruscans who are believed to be Sythian nomads who colonized Tuscany from the North, probably Hungary or the Russian Steppes.
""Lady Godiva" c.1898
John Collier"
The Pre-Raphaelites make me horny.
Beautiful Baba. Baby pictures make me nuts!
"Right, Tasmanian Devils are cute. They are so cute they'll euthanize your cat for you by biting through its skull. Tell me another one why don't you? "
Tasmanian Devils have nothing on the Wolverine. They're not afraid of taking on Bears and are known to track Inuit hunters. The most badass mammal on earth bar none.
I stand by my opinion.
London - Red hair may be the genetic legacy of Neanderthals...
And this is why I stand by my opinion.
http://www.victorianart.btinternet.co.uk/va-web/pre-raphaelites/va_dante_gabriel_rossetti.htm
"Janey was the wife of William Morris. In the 1870s Janey was Rossetti's favourite model. His last painting of her was The Daydream."
I think Janey must have been a traffic stopper and rumour has it Rossetti was in love with her. Alas to no avail.
old skool redhead.. kerri green. couldn't find a linkable color pic though
That's interesting. Did they go into Greece also? My southern Italian, redheaded ancestors have Greek roots.
LOL, Lady thanks for the ping.
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