Higher than average amount of Neanderthal DNA

Congratulation on your proof of Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry. I know you knew that you had Neanderthal ancestry before you did the test but it’s nice to see it confirmed. 

My test results show 2.09% Neanderthal and .2 Denisovan. Like you, my haplotype is H but 23andMe didn’t give me a subgroup. Our ancestors may have crossed paths in the Middle East less than 18,000 years ago, and again in Europe on the way to Britain and Ireland. 

I've got the same level of Denisovan DNA as you, I don't know how it got there, but it must have been a very long time ago. Does it do anything, have any effects? The same with Neanderthal DNA, its a tiny amount and it's linked to a population in Belgium, was it a late contact as I have more than average, or did the genetic dice just give me a bit more? Again does it do anything? 

I think nearly all of us some Neanderthal ancestry.

I did my test with Living DNA as they have the best results for Britain and Ireland, its an easy process bu tnot the easist site to use, but they are British rather than American, I think it makes a difference in what and how any data can be shared withh outside parties?

The Denisovan gene EPAS1 is associated with increased ability to cope in low oxygen level environments. It is linked to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetan people. Most people have a very tiny amount of Denisovan DNA but according to Chris Stringer, people from places like the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Australia can have up to 4 - 5% of their genome. 

Living DNA says Neanderthal DNA is associated with sleeping patterns, immune system benefits, hair colour and type, skin pigmentation and sun exposure reaction. It isn't accurate because they think I am likely to be a morning person. I'm a night person & when I used to study for exams, I always did my best work in the evening.

I have a genotype which is associated with a significant overall decrease in the expression of inflammatory response genes. It's attributed to Neanderthal. I also have a genotype that is 'not associated with darker hair colour'. I don't understand what that means (darker than what?). I have a genotype which is not associated with blonde hair colour. My hair is brown so that fits.

Neanderthal genes can be associated with Physicality, i.e., can be more likely to be a sprinter (more muscular) or more likely to be a long distance runner.

The first DNA test I did last year was with 23andme. Then I uploaded my results to Living DNA free of charge and paid to get the archaic traits upgrade. Ancestry won't accept uploaded DNA results so I did another test with them to get my more recent ancestry in the UK and the rest of the world.

I think that all DNA testing companies could potentially have data breaches. 23andme being in the US, is probably more at risk. The laws about data seem to change there often but I am more worried about my online privacy in general than my DNA being leaked.

I know Neanderthal didn’t have red hair but your red brownish hair has to come from somewhere, perhaps some ancient people yet to be discovered. Living DNA can give a positive or negative result for associated archaic traits but I think not all gene associations have been identified.

I have an ancestor who was one of the first colonists of the US. I’m not altogether happy about this because it wasn’t an entirely happy event for the native Americans, although the history of the relationship between the first colonists and the native people depends on who is doing the telling and native Americans were ‘bribed’ or forced to become Catholic. He is called VO6C for now:

VO6C = Male Individual

Died between 1634CE to 1667CE aged 25-34 years old.

Buried Chapel Field Cemetery, St. Mary’s City, Maryland, US.

MT Haplopgroup U

Y Haplogroup  R1a

Relationship: Direct descendent of V06C or direct descendent of close relative of V06C 

St. Mary’s City, founded in 1634, was the first English settlement in the colony of Maryland and one of the earliest English settlements in North America. It was established mainly for English Catholics who were seeking refuge but it was a place of religious tolerance according to some sources, other sources say otherwise. The chapel was constructed in 1635. VO6C was one of 49 individuals (and one of 9 individuals co-mingled in an ossuary and reinterred in an ossuary vault when the chapel was rebuilt in 1667) from St. Mary’s City who had their genomes analysed. Isotopic analysis confirms he was a recent immigrant who arrived as an adult.

There are high rates of genetic sharing with 23andMe participants from western England and Wales which suggests a likely origin for these first colonists of Maryland. V06C shows strong connections to Lancashire and the Midlands.

Only three individuals interred have been identified with confidence, Philip Calvert; his first wife Anne Wolseley Calvert; and Philip’s infant son with his second wife, Jane Sewell. 

There& are strong genetic connections with participants from Kentucky, mirroring a documented post-Revolutionary War migration of Maryland Catholics to that region, primarily between 1780 and 1820. Individuals moved to escape anti-Catholic bias and seek economic benefits.

All individuals have entirely European related ancestry except for one child who has primarily African related ancestry, with 25—30% European related ancestry. He was interred among the European ancestry individuals, following similar burial customs. Historically significant evidence of diversity in the Chapel Field Cemetery.

Historical records document the ships Ark and Dove carrying the first St. Mary’s colonists from the Isle of Wight, with genetic regional patterns suggesting that most passengers were connected to Western England and Wales. (Edited and paraphrased from 23andMe and other sources)

I have unusual colouring, I have pale skin, but I don't go lobster after 5 mins in the sun, I tan a sort of biscuit colour, I have hazel eyes and naturally red brownish coloured hair, such an unusual colour that hairdressers thought it was lowlights and could hardly believe that it was natural. This is thought to be Neanderthal colouring. I don't think I breathe easier the higher up I am, but then I've never tried actually climbing moutains, I just like looking at them and I must admit to not really understanding why people want to climb them? 

I have unusual colouring, I have pale skin, but I don't go lobster after 5 mins in the sun, I tan a sort of biscuit colour, I have hazel eyes and naturally red brownish coloured hair, such an unusual colour that hairdressers thought it was lowlights and could hardly believe that it was natural. This is thought to be Neanderthal colouring. I don't think I breathe easier the higher up I am, but then I've never tried actually climbing moutains, I just like looking at them and I must admit to not really understanding why people want to climb them? 

I know Neanderthal didn’t have red hair but your red brownish hair has to come from somewhere, perhaps some ancient people yet to be discovered. Living DNA can give a positive or negative result for associated archaic traits but I think not all gene associations have been identified.

I have an ancestor who was one of the first colonists of the US. I’m not altogether happy about this because it wasn’t an entirely happy event for the native Americans, although the history of the relationship between the first colonists and the native people depends on who is doing the telling and native Americans were ‘bribed’ or forced to become Catholic. He is called VO6C for now:

VO6C = Male Individual

Died between 1634CE to 1667CE aged 25-34 years old.

Buried Chapel Field Cemetery, St. Mary’s City, Maryland, US.

MT Haplopgroup U

Y Haplogroup  R1a

Relationship: Direct descendent of V06C or direct descendent of close relative of V06C 

St. Mary’s City, founded in 1634, was the first English settlement in the colony of Maryland and one of the earliest English settlements in North America. It was established mainly for English Catholics who were seeking refuge but it was a place of religious tolerance according to some sources, other sources say otherwise. The chapel was constructed in 1635. VO6C was one of 49 individuals (and one of 9 individuals co-mingled in an ossuary and reinterred in an ossuary vault when the chapel was rebuilt in 1667) from St. Mary’s City who had their genomes analysed. Isotopic analysis confirms he was a recent immigrant who arrived as an adult.

There are high rates of genetic sharing with 23andMe participants from western England and Wales which suggests a likely origin for these first colonists of Maryland. V06C shows strong connections to Lancashire and the Midlands.

Only three individuals interred have been identified with confidence, Philip Calvert; his first wife Anne Wolseley Calvert; and Philip’s infant son with his second wife, Jane Sewell. 

There& are strong genetic connections with participants from Kentucky, mirroring a documented post-Revolutionary War migration of Maryland Catholics to that region, primarily between 1780 and 1820. Individuals moved to escape anti-Catholic bias and seek economic benefits.

All individuals have entirely European related ancestry except for one child who has primarily African related ancestry, with 25—30% European related ancestry. He was interred among the European ancestry individuals, following similar burial customs. Historically significant evidence of diversity in the Chapel Field Cemetery.

Historical records document the ships Ark and Dove carrying the first St. Mary’s colonists from the Isle of Wight, with genetic regional patterns suggesting that most passengers were connected to Western England and Wales. (Edited and paraphrased from 23andMe and other sources)