There has been an interesting topical re-analysis (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/07/first-modern-britons-dark-black-skin-cheddar-man-dna-analysis-reveals) on the remains of Cheddar man, discovered in Gough's cave more than 100 years ago. The remains have been dated as being some 10,000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens remains found, thus far, in the UK (presumably representing humans arriving after the last ice-age). Part of the study involved drilling into the skull to obtain some of the individual's DNA. When analysed, it suggested that the man had dark-black skin, brunette curly hair and blue eyes, leading to speculation that he was from a group migrating from the Middle East. Having a dark complexion would make it difficult for individuals to synthesise sufficient vitamin D following radiation of their skin by sunlight, perhaps accounting for a later paling of the skin in this location.
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