Just watched the new Lincoln film, I had no idea how complicated the politics was way back then or that the Republicans were an anti slavery party, also needed subtitles to deal with the authentic language in the film,more like English than American at that time ironically. They were so rude to each other in Congress, a bit of an eyeopener and very amusing. I need to see it again really.
Also watched a UK TV series about our DNA and how it showed how all Europeans started off black about 140,000 years ago. The irony with the slavery issue was not lost on me!
I expect most of you already know this, but I found it fascinating how our skin changes colour over time as we go further north. As the ice gradually receded our ancestors went with it and lost pigment to capture the vitamin D from the decreasing sunlight. Europeans also interbred with the Neanderthals that were already there (the Nephilim of Genesis) as a consequence all white Europeans (obviously white Americans too) have up to 5% Neanderthal DNA, whereas black Africans do not. The movement of the Sahara caused the African population to split, some into central and western Africa and some to the Arabian Peninsular and up through the middle east (met first Neanderthals) then on up through Turkey to split East and West to Asia and Europe. Neaderthals were already white and had ginger hair. I have/had ginger hair and 20 mins in the sun can give me sunburn, so my ancestors are totally of Northern origins. Fascinating stuff!
best DaveP
Also watched a UK TV series about our DNA and how it showed how all Europeans started off black about 140,000 years ago. The irony with the slavery issue was not lost on me!
I expect most of you already know this, but I found it fascinating how our skin changes colour over time as we go further north. As the ice gradually receded our ancestors went with it and lost pigment to capture the vitamin D from the decreasing sunlight. Europeans also interbred with the Neanderthals that were already there (the Nephilim of Genesis) as a consequence all white Europeans (obviously white Americans too) have up to 5% Neanderthal DNA, whereas black Africans do not. The movement of the Sahara caused the African population to split, some into central and western Africa and some to the Arabian Peninsular and up through the middle east (met first Neanderthals) then on up through Turkey to split East and West to Asia and Europe. Neaderthals were already white and had ginger hair. I have/had ginger hair and 20 mins in the sun can give me sunburn, so my ancestors are totally of Northern origins. Fascinating stuff!
best DaveP