The first person known to have lived in Briton had dark skin, according to new cutting-edge scientific analysis from London’s Natural History Museum. Scientists used DNA analysis from Britain’s oldest nearly complete skeleton to reveal that he had dark skin and blue eyes. The skeleton, known as Cheddar Man because of the area he was found, was discovered in 1903. He’s believed to have lived more than 10,000 years ago and is the oldest Briton to have ever lived had their DNA tested. The research shows that light skin developed in ancient Britons much later than previously thought. This goes against modern perceptions of Britain, Europe and race.
Tom Booth, a Natural History Museum archaeologist who worked on the project, told The Guardian: “It really shows up that these imaginary racial categories that we have are really very modern constructions, or very recent constructions, that really are not applicable to the past at all.”
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
