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
The one on the right is much better looking.
again the one on the right is better looking.....
a large print of "Rose" is in my room.
I certainly hope my daughters hair keeps trending red.
:-D
I had to read that about five times before I realized it did not say, " There are a lot of crazy people around here." ROFL
That's a really good question....... Hmmmmmmmmmm.....
;-p
<>I had to read that about five times before I realized it did not say, " There are a lot of crazy people around here." ROFL
</P>That IS what it said - before I went over it with my Bic.
That IS what it said - before I went over it with my Bic.
Who is the keeper of the list of the Red Haired League. I need to be there too.
Do I need to send evidence for admission.
lol
Did you see my post to you about redheads?
..ok..I'm comming out of the closet here..I'm a Neanderthal too..both parents from Ireland..lots of red and black hair in the family. muwhahah :)
Yes, and may I compliment you on your wonderful taste? ;-)
Is this about Prince Harry?
LOL! ;-) My piano teacher in my pre-teen years was also a redhead, but I never had a crush on her. These days, there are two young redheaded women on the 7th floor of my building at work, and I'm friendly with both. I guess I can call it the "redheads' floor," due to the fact the concentration is higher than average there. ;-) At the same time, I can only think of two men that I've met who had red hair. Both were in my Boy Scout troop. I think it's more common with women.
I had hair almost down to my waist when I was 18. I got it all cut off and kept a ringlet.
I got DNA if it is required.
You thought I was going to get bawdy, didn't you.
*LOL* Everything in London is about Prince Harry.
Speaking of Danny Kaye (we were, weren't we?) his favorite co-star, Virginia Mayo, passed away.
LOL
:-D
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