Researchers studying the DNA of Neanderthals found a mutation in two individuals that can affect both skin and hair pigmentation. The mutation reduces the function of a gene known as MC1R. In modern humans, when a slightly different mutation reduces the function of that gene the result is red hair and fair skin...much like modern-day humans of Celtic origin.
Oh no they didn't!
"The stereotype of primitive peoples is that they are dark skinned, but some paleontologists have been speculating for 20 years that some Neanderthals must have been pale skinned because they lived in northern Europe," said a professor of anthropology. "Light skin is adaptive at higher altitudes because it allows more UVB radiation to penetrate the skin and that promotes Vitamin D synthesis."
The mutation observed in the Neanderthal genes was different from the one documented in humans, but when scientists inserted the Neanderthal gene into cells in a test tube, it seemed to have the same effect on melatonin production as the modern human genes.
That said, the number of red-headed Neanderthals was probably pretty small, possibly just one percent of the population, just like the Irish. But really, for researchers to equate them with cavemen? It would be really insulting if not for the annual St, Patrick's Day debauchery that makes the Irish look less than evolved.
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