Human phenotypes (observable traits) are wide-ranging and diverse across the globe. Our phenotype is dictated by our DNA. As humans migrated out of Africa, they developed lighter skin tones, which is beneficial in regions with low UV radiation as it helps prevent vitamin D deficiencies. In this video, I explore the current picture of how Europeans became white based on ancient DNA evidence, specifically tracing the two most important genes involved in depigmentation in modern-day Europeans: SLC24A5 and SLC45A2. I also discuss a new non-peer-reviewed study that has made headlines recently. #archaeology #dna #ancientdna #archaeological #ancient #archaeologist #science #crashcourse #europe #european #europa #prehistoric #paleolithic #mesolithic #neolithic

00:00 Intro
01:21 DNA, Genes, Alleles
03:54 SLC24A5 and SLC45A2
04:50 Cheddar Man / WHGs
07:34 Neolithic Anatolian Farmers
08:51 Scandinavia, EHGs
10:39 Origins of derived alleles (SLC24A5/SLC45A2)
11:19 A complex picture?
15:15 New, non-peer-reviewed study
20:15 End

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Photo Licenses:
CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
-Cheddar Man reconstruction: https://flickr.com/photos/phancurio/4...

CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
-Eastern Hunter-Gatherer: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
-Neolithic Farmer Reconstruction: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
-Prehistoric man reconstruction: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...