Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Blue-Eyed Immigrants Transformed Israel 6,500 Years Ago

  1. #1
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    13th September 2013
    Location
    Dixieland - USA
    Posts
    1,030
    Thanks
    642
    Thanked 6,928 Times in 1,027 Posts

    Blue-Eyed Immigrants Transformed Israel 6,500 Years Ago


    These ossuaries — containers for human remains — from the Chalcolithic
    Period were excavated at Peqi'in Cave in northern Israel.



    Thousands of years ago in what is now northern Israel, waves of migrating people from the north and east — present-day Iran and Turkey — arrived in the region. And this influx of newcomers had a profound effect, transforming the emerging culture.

    What's more, these immigrants not only brought new cultural practices; they also introduced new genes — such as the mutation that produces blue eyes — that were previously unknown in that geographic area, according to a new study.

    Archaeologists recently discovered this historic population shift by analyzing DNA from skeletons preserved in an Israeli cave. The site, in the north of the tiny country, contains dozens of burials and more than 600 bodies dating to approximately 6,500 years ago, the scientists reported.

    DNA analysis showed that skeletons preserved in the cave were genetically distinct from people who historically lived in that region. And some of the genetic differences matched those of people who lived in neighboring Anatolia and the Zagros Mountains, which are now part of Turkey and Iran, the study found.

    Ancient Israel (then called Galilee) belonged to a region known as the southern Levant, part of a larger area, the Levant, which encompasses today's eastern Mediterranean countries. The southern Levant experienced a significant cultural shift during the Late Chalcolithic period, around 4500 B.C.E. to 3800 B.C.E, with denser settlements, more rituals performed in public and a growing use of ossuaries in funerary preparations, the researchers reported.

    Though some experts had previously proposed that cultural transformation was driven by people who were native to the southern Levant, the authors of the new study suspected that waves of human migration explained the changes. To find answers, the scientists turned to a burial site in Israel's Peqi’in Cave, in what would have been Upper Galilee 6,500 years ago.

    Unraveling an ancestry puzzle

    Peqi'in is a natural cave, measuring around 56 feet (17 meters) long and about 16 to 26 feet (5 to 8 m) wide. Inside the cave are decorated jars and burial offerings — along with hundreds of skeletons — suggesting that the location served as a type of mortuary for Chalcolithic people who lived nearby.

    However, not all of the cave's contents appeared to have local origins, study co-author Dina Shalem, an archaeologist with the Institute for Galilean Archaeology at Kinneret College in Israel, said in a statement.

    "Some of the findings in the cave are typical to the region, but others suggest cultural exchange with remote regions," Shalem said. The artistic styles of these artifacts bear closer resemblance to styles common to more-northern regions of the Near East, lead study author Eadaoin Harney, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, told Live Science in an email.

    The scientists sampled DNA from bone powder from 48 skeletal remains and were able to reconstruct genomes for 22 individuals found in the cave. That makes this one of the largest genetic studies of ancient DNA in the Near East, the researchers reported.

    Blue eyes and fair skin

    The scientists found that these individuals shared genetic features with people from the north, and those similar genes were absent in farmers who lived in the southern Levant earlier. For example, the allele (one of two or more alternative forms of a gene) that is responsible for blue eyes was associated with 49 percent of the sampled remains, suggesting that blue eyes had become common in people living in Upper Galilee. Another allele hinted that fair skin may have been widespread in the local population as well, the study authors wrote.

    "Both eye and skin color are traits that are controlled by complex interactions between multiple alleles, many — but not all — of which have been identified," Harney explained.

    "The two alleles that we highlight in our study are known to be strongly associated with light eye and skin color, respectively, and are often used to make predictions about the appearance of various human populations in ancient DNA studies," she said.

    However, it is important to note that multiple other alleles can influence the color of eyes and skin in individuals, Harney added, so "scientists cannot perfectly predict pigmentation in an individual."

    The scientists also discovered that genetic diversity increased within groups over time, while genetic differences between groups decreased; this is a pattern that typically emerges in populations after a period of human migration, according to the researchers.

    A dynamic past

    By presenting DNA from the distant past, these findings offer exciting new insights into the dynamic ancient world and the diverse human populations that inhabited it, said Daniel Master, a professor of archaeology at Wheaton College in Illinois.

    "One of the key questions of the Chalcolithic has always been to what extent the groups in Galilee were connected to the groups in the Be'ersheva Valley or the Jordan Valley or the Golan Heights," Master, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email.

    "The publication of the artifacts from Peqi'in has shown many cultural links between these regions, but it will be interesting to see, in the future, whether those links are genetic as well," Master said.

    The researchers' results also resolve a long-standing debate about the pivotal factor that changed the trajectory of the Chalcolithic peoples' unique culture, Shalem said in the statement.

    "We now know that the answer is migration," she said.





    Source: https://www.livescience.com/63396-an...rkey-iran.html



    peace...

  2. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to skywizard For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (25th August 2018), Dreamtimer (25th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (25th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (25th August 2018), JATUS (27th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  3. #2
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    2nd December 2015
    Location
    American Southwest (currently)
    Posts
    2,602
    Thanks
    12,814
    Thanked 13,156 Times in 2,620 Posts
    My Nordic ancestors are everywhere...

  4. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dumpster Diver For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (25th August 2018), Dreamtimer (25th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (25th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  5. #3
    Senior Member Emil El Zapato's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd April 2017
    Location
    Earth I
    Posts
    12,191
    Thanks
    36,640
    Thanked 43,100 Times in 11,915 Posts
    I wonder if these scientists consider the possibility that forward movement in culture was precipitated by the amalgam...cultural and genetic diversity being the key...Perhaps another example of Hegelian philosophy. If the flowering of the culture was the result of 'the great ones' bringing advanced culture then that begs this question: "What did they leave behind and where is it?"
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

  6. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Emil El Zapato For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (25th August 2018), Dreamtimer (25th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  7. #4
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    One of the reasons people prefer blondes, or more fair folk, is because being more fair is associated with youth. We're lighter when we're younger.

  8. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (25th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (25th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  9. #5
    Administrator Aragorn's Avatar
    Join Date
    17th March 2015
    Location
    Middle-Earth
    Posts
    20,240
    Thanks
    88,437
    Thanked 80,968 Times in 20,254 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Dreamtimer View Post
    One of the reasons people prefer blondes, or more fair folk, is because being more fair is associated with youth. We're lighter when we're younger.
    And the irony is that there are most likely more women in the West — and of all ages — who dye their hair blonde than that there are true blondes.
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

  10. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Aragorn For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (25th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  11. #6
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    So true. I was blonde as a child and then turned brown with age. Now I'm just going grey.

    Many other women I know wanted to keep the blonde and did so artificially.

  12. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  13. #7
    Senior Member Emil El Zapato's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd April 2017
    Location
    Earth I
    Posts
    12,191
    Thanks
    36,640
    Thanked 43,100 Times in 11,915 Posts
    differences in ethnicity:
    Hispanics actually lose pigmentation as they age...

    hair does get darker...until going grey
    Last edited by Emil El Zapato, 26th August 2018 at 00:40.
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

  14. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Emil El Zapato For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  15. #8
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    I didn't know that, NAP. My understanding was that most people get darker with age. Interesting.

  16. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  17. #9
    Senior Member Emil El Zapato's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd April 2017
    Location
    Earth I
    Posts
    12,191
    Thanks
    36,640
    Thanked 43,100 Times in 11,915 Posts
    i added to the earlier post...hair does get darker...skin pigmentation starts diminishing at a certain age...it's a sign of being 'older'
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

  18. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Emil El Zapato For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  19. #10
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    I have a female friend whose hair has gotten more blonde with age. It apparently runs in her family.

  20. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  21. #11
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    2nd December 2015
    Location
    American Southwest (currently)
    Posts
    2,602
    Thanks
    12,814
    Thanked 13,156 Times in 2,620 Posts
    if you and your sweetie have blond hair and blues eyes and then your bouncing baby boy comes out with brown eyes or brown hair...

    ...might be a reason for blond/blue desirability...

  22. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Dumpster Diver For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (26th August 2018), Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (27th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  23. #12
    Senior Member Aianawa's Avatar
    Join Date
    18th March 2015
    Posts
    12,485
    Thanks
    45,719
    Thanked 35,452 Times in 10,162 Posts
    True history emerging it looks like, bit of this maybe > https://jandeane81.com/showthread.ph...-or-vs-Albinos , or not.

  24. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Aianawa For This Useful Post:

    Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  25. #13
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    I happen to think that people who are mixed are the most beautiful. Whatever mixture they are. Black and white, asian and indian, any combo you like. I'm also pretty sure that the best gene mixes come that way.

    If two people with blonde hair and blue eyes have a brown eyed child, there's something funky going on.

  26. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Emil El Zapato (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

  27. #14
    Senior Member Emil El Zapato's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd April 2017
    Location
    Earth I
    Posts
    12,191
    Thanks
    36,640
    Thanked 43,100 Times in 11,915 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Dumpster Diver View Post
    if you and your sweetie have blond hair and blues eyes and then your bouncing baby boy comes out with brown eyes or brown hair...

    ...might be a reason for blond/blue desirability...
    I used to think that wasn't possible, my brother has the blue-eye gene recessive and so does his daughter's mother but she has brown eyes. It is possible but not typical I reckon since blue-eyes require two blue-eyed genes in the 'host'.

    the science reason is that the genes determining pigmentation are not singular but complexes...freckles and red hair, light skin, and blue eyes. I have freckles and use to have a red tint to my hair. My skin is a bit weird (Capricorn) as I tan darkly and seemingly on a permament basis but my untanned skin is 'dare I say it'...white. I've been teased about it.

    Bottom line it is very difficult to determine phenotype by examining a genotype.
    Last edited by Emil El Zapato, 26th August 2018 at 15:20.
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

  28. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Emil El Zapato For This Useful Post:

    Aragorn (26th August 2018), Dreamtimer (27th August 2018), Dumpster Diver (26th August 2018), Elen (26th August 2018), Kathy (26th August 2018)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •