With DNA extracted from the body\u2019s remains, researchers have reconstructed the face of a woman who lived approximately 10,500 years ago in present-day Belgium. The findings of this analysis challenge earlier assumptions about genetic uniformity among European Mesolithic populations.<\/p>\n
The team, led by scientists from Ghent University, used advanced genetic and archaeological methods to bring the prehistoric figure to life\u2014revealing a woman with blue eyes, slightly lighter skin, and distinct facial features. Archaeologist Philippe Cromb\u00e9 told CNN \u201cgood quality\u201d DNA was taken from the woman\u2019s skull.<\/p>\n
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The woman\u2019s facial reconstruction, including skin tone, hair, and eye colour, was derived from ancient DNA analysis, while other elements like her jewelry and tattoos were informed by broader archaeological evidence.<\/p>\n
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What does it tell about genetic uniformity?<\/p>\n
The findings challenge previous assumptions that European hunter gatherers shared the same genetic makeup, according to Project Lead Isabelle De Groote. It also shows that there was already considerable variation in skin colour among different populations.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had lighter skin than many other Mesolithic people studied so far,\u201d Groote said.\u00a0 \u201cFrom the skull, we could also tell she was between 35 and 60 years old\u2026. She had a high nasal bridge and strong brow ridges,\u201d she added, highlighting that the features were similar to the Cheddar Man in the UK.<\/p>\n
Cromb\u00e9 noted that while most Mesolithic DNA samples belong to a similar genetic group, \u201cit is to be expected that in the wide area of Western Europe there\u2019s some variability, as there is today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burial site with clues<\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s remains were discovered in the Margaux cave in Dinant during an excavation in the late 1980s, alongside the bodies of eight other women.<\/p>\n
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Many of the bodies were sprinkled with ochre\u2014an indicator of symbolic or ritual behavior\u2014and covered with stone fragments. One skeleton bore post-mortem cut marks.<\/p>\n
De Groote noted that the \u201ccave was used over several hundred of years so that they were places of memory that people would go back to despite their mobile hunter-gatherer lifestyle.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThey were still moving around because they were entirely dependent on natural resources,\u201d Cromb\u00e9 explained. \u201cThat forced them to move their settlements regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team is now working to analyse relationships among the buried individuals and studying dietary habits, including how much fish they consumed.<\/p>\n
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