In 7,000-year-old bones, clues to why ancient Europeans developed white skin

... sunlight on the European continent. The result? Bodies of European man needed manufacture mush more of its own Vitamin D, so his skin lightened, becoming white. (Lighter skin absorbs more ultraviolet rays, an important adaptation for making Vitamin ...

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/01/in_7000-year-old_bones_clues_t.html