The original skin color of humans was likely dark-skinned. This is based on the hypothesis that early humans, including archaic Homo sapiens, were dark-skinned due to their exposure to UV radiation.
The evolution of skin color is a complex process influenced by various factors, including:
- Melanin: The primary pigment responsible for skin color. Darker skin contains more melanin, providing protection from harmful UV radiation.
- Geographic Location: As humans migrated away from the equator and into regions with lower UV levels, lighter skin evolved to allow for sufficient vitamin D production.
- Natural Selection: Skin color variations were advantageous in different environments, leading to the diverse skin tones we see today.
It's important to remember that the concept of "original skin color" is complex and influenced by evolving scientific understanding. While dark skin is generally considered the ancestral state, further research continues to shed light on the fascinating history of human skin color variation.
