DNA reveals this individual had dark complexion, straight dark hair, and blue eyes - typical Western European hunter-gatherer traits. But she also had a rare vertebral malformation restricting brain blood flow, which could have caused altered states of consciousness. Buried in a sitting position with red ochre, her skeleton survived 9,000 years!
Shaman had rare spinal malformation and hunter-gatherer phenotype
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Key facts
- Physical traits: dark complexion, straight dark hair, blue eyes (common Western European hunter-gatherer phenotype)
- Rare malformation in upper cervical vertebrae restricted blood flow to brain
- Vertebral condition could have triggered nystagmus and altered states of consciousness
- Skeleton fully preserved due to lime-rich alkaline soils near Saale River
- Low physical activity overall but evidence of knee wear suggesting prolonged kneeling
Sources
Most ancient Europeans had dark skin until 3000 years ago, study ...archaeologymag.com
The finding of a 12,000-year-old Swedish hunter-gatherer with dark skin and blue eyes was noteworthy because it raises the possibility that eye ...
Hunter-gatherer European had blue eyes and dark skin - BBC Newsbbc.com
Genetic tests reveal that a hunter-gatherer who lived 7000 years ago had the unusual combination of dark skin and hair and blue eyes.
European Hunter-Gatherers had Dark Skin, Blue Eyessites.dartmouth.edu
The team discovered that the ancient human had intriguing variants of the genes SLC45A2 and SL24A5, which affect skin pigmentation.
Surprise! Ancient European had dark skin and blue eyes, DNA revealslatimes.com
A man who lived on the Iberian peninsula before Europeans became farmers probably had blue eyes but dark hair and skin, according to scientists ...
Just Call This Hunter-Gatherer Ol' Blue-Eyes - Smithsonian Magazinesmithsonianmag.com
DNA from an ancient human tooth found in a cave in Spain reveals one European hunter-gatherer's complexion.
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