Ancient DNA reveals that some Neanderthals were redheads

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Red-haired Neanderthals and modern man face to face. Image: Knut Finstermeier Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology original Neanderthal reconstruction: Reiss Engelhorn Museums Mannheim
Red-haired Neanderthals and modern man face to face. Image: Knut Finstermeier, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology; original Neanderthal reconstruction: Reiss Engelhorn Museums, Mannheim

Ancient DNA retrieved from the bones of two Neanderthals suggests that at least some of them had red hair and pale skin, scientists report this week in the journal Science. The international team says that Neanderthals' pigmentation may even have been as varied as that of modern humans, and that at least 1 percent of Neanderthals were likely redheads.


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