Homo Sapiens Adapting -- Attached to Hair Color -- PREHISTORIC
I was recently reading about the variation of hair color among the peoples of the world.
One very insightful explanation is attached to NATURAL blonde hair. So much detail!
But, historically, there is one thing that is very interesting about blonde hair. Here is
what the scientific findings are:
Many thousands of years ago, as people migrated to various parts of the world, no matter
where they relocated, only the strongest individuals were able to survive and to thrive.
So, as geographical differences exposed people to various climates, the individuals
needed to adapt -- even over a few generations... People scattered everywhere,
everywhere, and a number of them migrated far North.. No one really knew exactly
where they were going.. they followed their family and the people they believed protected them.
Some humans migrated far North. ... Into places we now call Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, and near the Arctic Circle. As you might know, these places were/are COLD;
devoid of sunlight for much of the year. The human body absorbs vitamin D from
food.. but chiefly from exposure to sunlight. These humans began suffering from many
deficiencies. including Vitamin D. The tribes adapted over time. Fossil and DNA research reveal that organisms found a way to absorb MAXIMUM Vitamin D from a minimal amount
of sunlight.... This happened when skin and hair evolved into lighter and lighter tones. losing
the darker, sun protective, Eumelanin pigment in skin and hair. Thus creating 'blonde" hair and very sunlight absorptive skin! -- So even the smallest exposure to sunlight would be absorbed into the body; eliminating or reducing Vitamin D deficiencies.
This helped ancient humans living in reduced sunlight to survive and to successfully
reproduce. Of course, this type of unprotected skin FRIES in the sun... very little or
no natural melanin protection!
It is also noted that in almost every case of natural "Scandinavian" blonde...
even the blondest of blonde human hair does become a bit darker.. with
age. I hope you found this bit of hair history to be interesting. If you go to Wikipedia
and research various hair colors, you can find "blonde".. the article is very, very
long, but informative.
See you at ABS in Chicago... let's talk more!
Beth