Although King Ecgberht (770/775–839) is the ancestor of the British royal family, a history teacher in Cheddar discovers a much more surprising connection thanks to a DNA test.
He is the most distant confirmed relative in the world, with a direct maternal line to the oldest complete British skeleton, Cheddar Man.
Cheddar Gorge is a breathtaking limestone gorge in the picturesque English region of Somerset that holds secrets thousands of years old.
A virtually complete skeleton of a man who lived about 10,000 years ago was discovered here in 1903 during renovations to the drainage system at Gough’s Cave.
The discovery, which was named Cheddar Man, immediately gained notoriety as the oldest intact modern human skeleton found in the British Isles. This Mesozoic hunter-gatherer, who was approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, died in his thirties, according to the analysis. Back when England was still a wooded country connected to Europe, his burial in a cave was common.
Cheddar Man has been the subject of great scientific interest for many years. However, a truly remarkable relationship spanning more than 300 generations did not emerge until the late 1990s.
Bryan Sykes of Oxford University isolated mitochondrial DNA from one of Cheddar Man’s molars in 1996. In the UK, this ground-breaking piece was later featured on the regional TV show “Once Upon a Time in the West”. The show focused on the remarkable relationship between Adrian Targett, a history teacher at a nearby school, and the Cheddar Man.
Targett and Cheddar Man were both members of mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U5.
This finding suggests that the two have a direct maternal relationship that goes back about 300 generations. This shared haplogroup proves that Targett is a direct descendant of Cheddar Man through an intact maternal line, as mitochondrial DNA is passed down from mother to child.
The direct genetic link between the ancient skeleton and the local history teacher was the subject of extensive national and international media coverage of the remarkable discovery.
It is important to note that although this relationship shows a continuous maternal line, it only constitutes a small percentage of the total Target genetic makeup.
However, Adrian Targett and Cheddar Man’s relationship is still fascinating. About half a mile from Cheddar Man’s final resting place, Targett was born and currently holds the title of “farthest DNA-traceable descendant”. Given that Targett’s maternal line has been in the Cheddar Gorge area for nearly nine millennia, this shows an amazing continuity of population in the area.
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The obvious physical resemblance between Adrian Targett and Cheddar Man only emphasizes the intrigue of this relationship. Targett saw many parallels when he was shown the new DNA-based reconstruction of Cheddar Man.
“There’s definitely a resemblance if you look at the pictures of my cousins,” he told Mailu.
“I feel a little more multicultural now,” he said with a smile. And the family resemblance, in my opinion, undoubtedly exists. I have such a nose. And we both share those blue eyes.
Cheddar Man’s significantly darker skin is one obvious difference, and in fact, a more thorough genetic analysis of his skeleton in 2018 challenged long-held beliefs about what the first Britons looked like. The team from the Natural History Museum in London used state-of-the-art methods to extract the entire genome from bone powder made by drilling a 2mm hole into the skeleton’s skull.
According to the study, Cheddar Man most likely had blue eyes, curly hair, and dark to black skin—a combination that many people today might find surprising. The discovery has fueled discussions about the convoluted history of human migration and the evolution of physical traits such as skin tone.
“It’s just one individual, but also representative of the European population of the time,” said Dr. Tom Booth, a researcher at the museum. They were dark-skinned, had dark brown hair, and mostly blue or green eyes.
“Cheddar Man challenges human assumptions about what kinds of genetic traits go together,” Booth continued. Pale eyes seem to have arrived in Europe long before light hair or pale skin, which only appeared after farming.
The remarkable story of Adrian Targett, a history teacher from Cheddar, and his surprising connection with the Cheddar Man illustrates the deep-rooted links between modern humans and their ancient ancestors. This unique maternal line dating back some 10,000 years not only highlights the importance of genetic research but also opens a window into the past and reveals insights into the people who once inhabited Britain.
As Targett embraces his connection to Cheddar Man, he becomes a living connection to a time long forgotten, representing the continuity of a legacy that stretches back millennia.
Additionally, revelations regarding Cheddar Man’s appearance challenge preconceived notions about the physical characteristics of early Britons. The findings regarding his dark skin and blue eyes prompt a reassessment of the genetic traits that define modern populations, illustrating the complexity of human evolution and migration. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of our ancestors through advanced genetic analysis, they not only enrich our understanding of history but also foster a more nuanced view of identity and ancestry in the present.
Ultimately, the connection between Adrian Targett and Cheddar Man serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of our ancestors and the complex tapestry of human history. It invites us to reflect on our roots and consider how the past shapes who we are today. In a world where understanding one’s lineage can foster a sense of belonging, stories like Targett’s illuminate humanity’s shared journey, connecting us across time and space through the bonds of DNA and shared heritage.