The same DNA sequence in the region of the OCA2 gene among blue-eyed people suggests they may have a single common ancestor. DNA studies on ancient human remains confirm that light skin, hair and eyes were present at least tens of thousands of years ago on Neanderthals, who lived in Eurasia for 500,000 years.
New research shows that all blue-eyed people share a common ancestor. This person lived more than 6,000 years ago and carried a genetic mutation that has now spread across the world.
The exact cause remains to be determined but scientists do know that eye color began to change long before recorded history began.
All blue-eyed people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000-10,000 years ago.
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Blue eyes are caused by a gene mutation. For years, researchers had searched for it on the OCA2 gene.
The OCA2 gene determines how much brown pigment is in our eyes. But what they were looking for wasn't there at all.
The mutation was found on an entirely different gene called HERC2. HERC2 turns off OCA2, meaning it turns off the brown and reveals the blue. Every blue-eyed person has this exact same mutation.
How did this mutation get its start? Possibly when humans migrated from Africa to Europe. This would explain why only people of European descent have blue eyes. It would also suggest that all blue-eyed people share a single European ancestor.
Now, that's an impressive family tree!
