A study suggests that the people behind the construction of the famous Stonehenge were likely Black individuals.

Scientists from the University of Ferrara have reconstructed data from 348 ancient genomes collected throughout Eurasia.
Italy
Which indicates that nearly all Europeans had dark skin up until about 3,000 years ago.

Near the town of Stonehenge lies an ancient monument.
Glastonbury
, estimated to be built about 5,000 years ago, experts suggest we can infer that the constructors likely had dark complexions.

Up until about 1,700 years ago, most Europeans had darker complexions, according to the researchers behind the study. They also mention that many ancient Greeks and Romans as well as the Britons involved in constructing Stonehenge possessed dark skin, eyes, and hair.

The research indicates that the transition towards fairer skin, due to migration to higher latitudes and increased consumption of vitamin D, occurred at a pace slower than earlier estimates suggested.

Experts are still unsure why the change from darker to light skin was so slow.

Nevertheless, scientists think that farmers might compensate for vitamin D deficiencies in their diet using readily available sources like milk and meat.

Specimens for the research were collected from the British Isles and continental Europe.
Russia
, central
Asia
and the Middle East.

Dr. Silvia Ghirotto, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Ferrara in Italy who headed the research, informed
The Telegraph
By examining old DNA from 348 people over a period of 45,000 years, we created a detailed image where pale skin colour appeared occasionally during the initial stages of human existence in Europe.

‘Their forefathers possessed darker complexions not too long ago.’

‘Since Stonehenge was constructed during the shift from the Neolithic era to the Bronze Age, and considering the frequent occurrence of darker-skinned individuals we identified throughout that time—even in Northern Europe—it is probable that the people who erected Stonehenge had dark characteristics.’

Stonehenge is a significant element of Britain’s heritage. It remains mostly inaccessible to the public; people can’t touch the stones anymore, yet they still have the opportunity to stroll around the monument from a slight distance.

The entire structure, currently in ruins, is oriented toward the sunrise at dawn and the sunset during the winter solstice.

Large crowds can usually be seen at the monument during the solstice periods as it is considered a place of worship to Neo-Druids, Pagans and other ‘earth based’ or ‘old’ religions.

Nonetheless, English Heritage allows entry during the summer and winter solstices, as well as the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Read more