Evolution Favored Genes Linked to Red Hair – And Vitamin D May Be Why

A large ancient-DNA study of nearly 16,000 genomes from West Eurasia found 479 gene variants under strong natural selection over the past 10,000 years.

Among the selected variants were MC1R changes linked to red hair and lighter skin, which may have become more common after the shift to farming.

The results suggest human evolution has been more active in recent millennia than previously thought.

The findings could help explain how traits and disease risks have changed over the last 10,000 years.