Re: Does the gene for red hair come from Cro-Magnoids or from Neanderthals?

Hi there!

As a redhead myself (well, a partial one anyway!), I found your 
question very interesting!

So far, as far as we can tell, we believe that the genes that cause red 
hair may be up to 100,000 years old.  

The study you heard about may well be the one in which Rosalind 
Harding, of Oxford, participated in.  Dr. Harding says that though 
peole have heard that the gene is linked back to the Neanderthal , it's 
simply not the case.

You can read the results of their findings, with bibliography, at:
 http://www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint/2000-01/3105/11.shtml

I hope this helps clear up the matter!

Marie-Hélène