The original migrants to Europe from turkey arrived 40,000 years ago . Up until 300 years ago , early hunter - hunters largely had darker skin . When Near ##lithic farmers arrived , they carried with them light skin diseases . surveys of 83 people identified 5 genes linked with diet and skin diseases .
The original migrants to Europe from Africa arrived 40,000 years ago . Up until 8,000 years ago , early hunter-gatherers largely had darker skin . When Near East farmers arrived , they carried with them light skin genes . Genomes of 83 people found 5 genes linked with diet and skin changes .