Based on current scientific understanding, the answer is that archaic humans, including early Homo sapiens, were dark-skinned.
Evolution of Human Skin Color
The evolution of human skin color is a complex topic, but the leading hypothesis provides some clear insights.
The Leading Hypothesis
- The hypothesis explains that after early humans lost most of their body hair, their skin was directly exposed to UV radiation.
- This exposure resulted in the evolution of darker skin, which offers protection from harmful UV rays.
- According to current data, archaic humans, including archaic Homo sapiens, were dark-skinned from the loss of body hair until about 100,000 years ago. This is mentioned directly in the provided reference.
Key Points
- Archaic Humans: This includes early members of our species, Homo sapiens, as well as related species.
- Dark Skin: The primary adaptation to high UV radiation was the development of dark skin through increased melanin production.
- Timeline: The development of darker skin occurred before 100,000 years ago.
- Purpose: The function of dark skin in this context was primarily protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Conclusion
While the exact shade of “black” is difficult to define for prehistoric populations, it is scientifically accepted that early humans, including our direct ancestors, had dark skin.
