New research suggests that our ancestors were not able to digest milk. Research recently published by the Univesity College London indicates that Europeans did not develop a gene which is essential in the digestion of milk until 7,000 years ago. This gene, which 90% of modern Europeans possess was not present in prehistoric remains studied by the scientists.
The London based university joined forces with the Univeristy of Mainz in their study of neolithic skeletal remains dating from 5480-5000 BC. From these skeletons the researchers found that the remains were devoid of the gene lactase, which is responsible for the breaking down of the sugar found in milk, called lactose. Without it, the prehistoric farmers were unable to absorb the nutrients from the drink, and were victims of severe bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Dr Mark Thomas from UCL said "the ability to drink milk is the most advantgeous trait that's evolved in Europeans in the recent past. Althought the benifits of milk tollerance are not fully understood, they inclde the advantage of a continuous supply compared with the 'boom and bust' of seasonal crops." the discovery is contrary to the pre-exsisting beliefs that the trait advanced with the first settlers from Africa. This is thought to be clear demonstration of the speed at which a human being is capible of adapting to their environment.