At which point in evolution did human skin colour start to vary?

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   Lianda Martinposted 9 years ago

   At which point in evolution did human skin colour start  to vary?
   
   If we all evolved along the same path why do we have such a variety of skin colours? I am trying to pin point when this happened to try and work out why it is that is that in some cultures white skin is thought to be superior and more desirable than black skin?

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2. 48

   pocono foothillsposted 9 years ago

   Although, I'm not sure if there is scientific evidence to conclusively prove this, I believe as people spread out over the globe into different environments, including tropical climates where sunshine and heat is abundant, over time people living in those climates, such as Africa evolved to have darker skin as the body attempted to defend itself against diseases caused by excessive sunshine, such as skin cancer.  Of course, since American Indians also have dark skin, one must make the assumption that American Indians did not actually originate in America.

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3. 60

   cjhunsingerposted 9 years ago

   We all came out of Africa, some stayed, but all were dark skin, which evolved to protect against the African sun and ultraviolet rays. Those that began to migrate some 70,000 years ago faced differing climate and diet.   It is this that results in skin pigmentation. Environment dictates the physical makeup, from skin to the slanting of eyes, which is argued evolved to protect the eye from the glare of the snow.
   It is not skin tone that promotes a sense of superiority, it is the physical prowess over others or the technological abilities of one group over another. Nothing has changed here. The Romans cared less what color they were conquering. It was conquering that mattered and this is true throughout history.
   It is a human trait to vilify or demean our foe  to make him look less strong,less human, to make him easier to kill or enslave. The Germans were Square heads or Krauts. The Japanese were Yellow #@$%$ or Japs.  Russians were Commies,
   Why do certain societies have disdain for others not of their own skin tone or religion or whatever; for the same reason a dog barks at a stranger; distrust.

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   1. 53

      Lianda Martinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Than you for troubling to respond. It makes sense. In South Africa though, unfortunately, historically, the prejudice seems to have arisen based solely on skin colour...with no reference to skill or prowess.

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      arksysposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      i like your last paragraph CJ.

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   3. 60

      cjhunsingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Lianda--The African occupied Africa, arguably the richest continent on earth, for 1000's of years before the return of the Caucasian and in that time accomplished nothing, save Egypt and the Nubians.  Tech superiority.

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4. 85

   arksysposted 9 years ago

   when i was a kid i worked in the garden both in Zambia and Pakistan and noted how weird it was to see that the colour of the soil of the land determined the colour of the people. Later when i travelled to the UK i realized it is all a little more complicated than what i had originally concluded.
   
   I'm in the middle of a book which states that the origins of the superiority complex could have been in the Roman empire ... where the romans thought of themselves as the most 'civilised' people of their time and therefore had to be the superior over the 'barbarians' everywhere else. you might want to look further into that to see if its accurate or not.
   
   the amount of sunlight could be a factor but then i would assume that the native people who fall under the equator should all be black or very close to black.

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5. 57

   JimQposted 9 years ago

   Since evolution is not true and the Bible is, there is a better explanation. The sun is responsable for different skin colors and possibly genetics too. The Bible says we are all one race.

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