description Cheddar Man Overview
Cheddar Man is the name given to a Mesolithic human skeleton discovered in 1903 in Gough's Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England. Dated to approximately 10,000 years ago (around 7150 BCE), it is among the oldest near-complete human skeletons found in Britain. The skeleton is housed at the Natural History Museum in London. DNA analysis published in 2018 revealed that Cheddar Man likely had dark skin, dark curly hair, and blue eyes, providing new insights into the appearance of early Britons.
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Where was the Cheddar Man skeleton discovered?
The Cheddar Man was discovered in 1903 inside Gough's Cave, located in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England. It is one of the oldest near-complete human skeletons ever found in Britain.
How old is the Cheddar Man skeleton?
Radiocarbon dating indicates that the Cheddar Man lived approximately 10,000 years ago, dating back to the Mesolithic period around 7150 BCE. This makes him the oldest near-complete human skeleton discovered in Britain.
What did DNA analysis reveal about the Cheddar Man's appearance?
DNA analysis conducted by the Natural History Museum revealed that early Britons like Cheddar Man had dark skin, dark curly hair, and blue eyes. This genetic insight drastically changed the scientific understanding of pigmentation and population shifts in prehistoric Europe.
Can visitors see the actual Cheddar Man skeleton today?
The actual Cheddar Man skeleton is currently housed in the Human Evolution gallery at the Natural History Museum in London for scientific study and preservation. However, visitors to Cheddar Gorge can view a replica of the skeleton and the cave where it was found.
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