Ancient Europeans, Including Stonehenge Builders, Likely Had Dark Skin, Study Suggests

Recent research suggests that the majority of Europeans who lived approximately 5,000 years ago, including those involved in constructing the famed monument Stonehenge, may have had dark skin. This conclusion challenges previous beliefs that paler skin emerged relatively quickly after humans migrated to Europe from Africa around 60,000 to 70,000 years ago.

Scientists at the University of Ferrara in Italy conducted a detailed analysis of genomic data collected from the remains of 348 individuals who lived from 45,000 to 1,700 years ago. Their findings revealed that during the Paleolithic segment of the Stone Age (approximately 13,000 to 35,000 years ago), about 92 percent of Europe's inhabitants possessed dark skin, and just 8 percent had intermediate skin tones. Notably, there was an absence of pale skin among these ancient populations.

The persistence of darker skin continued for thousands of years afterward. Even during the Iron Age, which occurred 1,700 to 3,000 years ago, dark skin remained dominant, accounting for 55 percent of the population, while 27 percent had intermediate skin tones and only 18 percent had pale skin.

Researchers identified around 26 genes linked to melanin production—the pigment responsible for darker skin. Since fossils do not preserve skin or hair directly, genetic information extracted from human remains was compared to modern DNA samples, allowing experts to predict the probable coloration of hair, eyes, and skin among early peoples.

Experts previously reasoned that the migration from Africa to northern Europe prompted a rapid adaptation toward lighter skin, aiding vitamin D production through increased ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Dark skin, in contrast, contains more protective pigments beneficial against intense UV radiation. Contrary to earlier beliefs of quick adaptation, this latest analysis suggests a significantly slower shift toward lighter coloration, maintaining predominantly dark pigmentation traits through much of European prehistory.

Evolutionary biologist Silvia Ghirotto from the University of Ferrara explained the significance of the study, acknowledging the surprise around the enduring presence of dark skin types. The research noted that only in the Iron Age did the frequency of individual with paler skin match that of darker-skinned individuals, suggesting pale skin became widespread gradually rather than quickly after migration.

The study has been published as a pre-print on bioRxiv, which means it awaits the rigorous validation process of peer review.