Cheddar Man's DNA

23andme format///

Cheddar Man's DNA is here.

Western Hunter-Gatherers (WHG), also known as West European Hunter-Gatherers, were a fascinating population that thrived in Europe from roughly 15,000 to 5,000 years ago. Unlike their settled counterparts, they were highly mobile, adapting their hunting and gathering strategies to seasonal changes. Skilled at tracking and trapping various animals, they also meticulously collected nuts, berries, and plants. Their nomadic lifestyle necessitated a flexible social structure, likely consisting of small, fluid groups that followed prey migrations and resource availability. While concrete evidence of their culture remains limited, WHG may have possessed intricate belief systems and artistic expression, as hinted at by the presence of early cave paintings found throughout Europe. Their legacy is undeniable, as their DNA forms a significant ancestral component of modern Europeans. The rise of agriculture marked a turning point, however, with WHG populations gradually being absorbed or migrating eastward as farming communities expanded. Their story serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of early humans who thrived in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.