genetic research has revealed that ancient european populations were dark skinned for far longer than had originally been thought .
rather than lightening as early humans migrated north from africa around 40,000 years ago due to lower levels of sunlight .
it was not until 7,800 years ago , when the first farmers migrated from the near east through turkey that two key genes that provide lighter skin appeared .
dna analysis obtained from ancient human remains has shown that as these farmers bred with the dark skinned hunter gatherers .