From Mark Johnston
If your correspondent Peter Musk’s idea that the pale skin of Europeans is a
Neanderthal trait is correct (31 July, p 69), what other traits survive? I
suspect that the red hair and blonde hair of Europeans is Neanderthal, as it is
unique to Europe, and the red-haired Celts and blonde Scandinavians do seem to
have come from the areas suggested for the two Neanderthal populations
(19 June, p 42).
Modern humans from these areas also seem hairier than the norm. Perhaps the
big, bearded, red-haired Highlander or Viking warrior is merely more closely
related to our Neanderthal ancestors. So much for ideas of an Aryan master race
and white supremacy. A DNA comparison of different groups of Europeans may prove
interesting.
Menmuir, Angus
