http://news.discovery.com/human/evolutio...140225.htm

Quote:Our primate ancestors that first lost most of their body hair were likely pale skinned, according to a new study that concludes our human forebears probably evolved darker skin later to safeguard against skin cancer and other problems that can result from too much sun exposure.

The study, published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B, helps explain both the historical origins and biological significance of skin coloration in humans.

Author Mel Greaves, a professor at The Institute of Cancer Research in the U.K., told Discovery News that "the likelihood is that the common ancestor of hominins and chimps had pale skin."

I wonder if rational discussion of this will be possible or if it will get bogged down in political correctness?

(February 28, 2014 at 2:49 pm)Minimalist Wrote: I wonder if rational discussion of this will be possible or if it will get bogged down in political correctness?

I don't know, it depends, what exactly do you want to discuss about it?

Most furry animals have pale skin under their fur. My Dog (all black Belgium Shepherd) has skin lighter than mine.

One notable exception is the Polar Bear, of all things, which, as I recall, has black skin.

Doesn't really seem all that surprising for us. We were hairy and pale skinned (2.5 million years ago+). We lost our hair and went dark skinned (2 million years ago?). Some of us left Africa and became pale skinned again (100,000 years ago). Those that remained stayed dark skinned.

Where is the PC issue?

(February 28, 2014 at 3:05 pm)max-greece Wrote: Where is the PC issue?

"Whites were here first."

Actually, I meant discussion in the scientific/academic community.

I'm going to have to see if I can find the actual study rather than just a press release about it. Few of these academic journals are available online.

An initial thought was wondering if skin cancer would actually develop before an individual reached puberty?

(February 28, 2014 at 3:07 pm)Tonus Wrote:

(February 28, 2014 at 3:05 pm)max-greece Wrote: Where is the PC issue?

"Whites were here first."

You are joking.

Hair covered apes - but they had white skin - and this is important.

FFS.

The first hairless humans were Black, however, or dead from Skin Cancer.

(February 28, 2014 at 3:50 pm)max-greece Wrote: You are joking.

I like my humor dry. Like my Vermouth. If I drank Vermouth.

I always thought it was the opposite. That the earliest humans were dark skinned. There were a few paler ones, and they were sexually selected.

Interesting...

I could be persuaded that there is an appreciable difference between UV radiation at the equator compared to, say, Scandinavia. It's not so obvious that there is a sufficient difference between the equator and the Levant to make that much of a difference.

I suspect another variable is involved but, again, I'd like to see the full report.

Makes sense...
I'd go a step further and say that as hominids grew hairless, the underlying skin grew darker... I mean... You wouldn't have a bald monkey born from a hairy one, would you?... (crocoduck, anyone?)