DNA Analysis Reveals First Modern Briton, ‘Cheddar Man’ Had Dark-Skin and Blue Eyes

Groundbreaking DNA analysis reveals startling facts about the looks of the first modern Briton

Groundbreaking DNA analysis of the remains of a man who lived 10,000 years ago has revealed some startling facts about the looks of the first modern Briton. London scientists have revealed that the first modern Briton had “dark to black” skin and blue eyes. He is known as the “Cheddar Man” after the area in southwest England where his skeleton was discovered in Gough’s Cave in Somerset in 1903. The first ever full DNA analysis of the remains of the ancient man has been brought to life by the scientists. The Guardian reports that there has been intense speculation around Cheddar Man’s origins and appearance as he lived shortly after the first settlers crossed from continental Europe to Britain at the end of the last ice age.

Interestingly, people of white British ancestry alive today are descendants of this population. It was earlier assumed that the Cheddar Man had pale skin and fair hair. However, his DNA paints a different picture and strongly suggests that he had blue eyes, a very dark brown to black complexion and dark curly hair. With this discovery, the study states that the genes for lighter skin became widespread in European populations far later than originally thought. Also, it became clear that skin colour was not always a proxy for the geographic origin in the way it is often seen to be today. The study was a joint project between Britain’s Natural History Museum and University College London. The scientists drilled a 2mm hole into the skull and extracted bone powder for analysis.

Chris Stringer, who for the past decade has analysed the bones of people found in the cave, says that, “It is very surprising that a Brit 10,000 years ago could have that combination of very blue eyes but really dark skin.” The scientists have created a bust of the Cheddar Man with shoulder-length dark hair and short facial hair. This was created using 3D printing. It took close to three months to build the model. News agencies report that Cheddar Man’s tribe migrated to Britain at the end of the last Ice Age and his DNA has been linked to individuals discovered in modern-day Spain, Hungary and Luxembourg.