With blue-eyed fair-haired Nordics almost certainly destined to become extinct, sometime late in the 22nd century, it is fascinating to speculate about the origin of blue eyes, before this recessive gene is bred out of existence.
One hypothesis is that such an eye colour arose by a mutation perhaps 10,000 years ago, where at the time, humanity had brown eyes. "A genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a "switch," which literally "turned off" the ability to produce brown eyes," according to one researcher who examined the genetic nature of blue-eyed people. It was found that blue-eyed people have a common ancestry, whatever nation they are in. According to a study, "during the last Ice Age, the world's blue-eyed inhabitants first appeared in a location to the north of the Black Sea. These individuals, according to Professor Hans Eiberg of the University of Copenhagen's Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, were proto-Indo-European Aryans who rode horses into Iran and India and introduced agriculture to western Europe."
The study hypothesised that the mutation for blue-eyes arose in one person. But, being a recessive characteristic, blue eyes require the inheritance of the gene from both parents in order to be present, so the hypothesis cannot be correct as blue-eyes would never have been replicated, but would have disappeared. Back to the drawing board on this one.
And yes, they actually used the "A" word! What a pity there is a drive to preserve all biodiversity, but not this one!
https://www.howandwhys.com/mystery-of-blue-eyed-people/
"The emergence of blue eyes occurred between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago as a result of an intriguing mutation. Before that, brown eyes were the only color found in humans on Earth. All those with blue eyes share a common ancestry, according to scientific evidence. This single person who is responsible for today's 8 percent blue-eyed people appeared or was born in a region near the northern Black Sea after the last ice age.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen examined the genetic makeup of the chromosomes in the eye's iris and compared 155 blue-eyed people from a variety of nations, including Jordan, Turkey, and Denmark. The lack of genetic variation among the study subjects and the presence of the same genetic "mutations" in particular eye-related chromosomes suggest that the "mutation" causing blue eyes is a recent development. "A genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a "switch", which literally "turned off" the ability to produce brown eyes," Professor Eiberg from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen," Denmark said.
According to a study, during the last Ice Age, the world's blue-eyed inhabitants first appeared in a location to the north of the Black Sea. These individuals, according to Professor Hans Eiberg of the University of Copenhagen's Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, were proto-Indo-European Aryans who rode horses into Iran and India and introduced agriculture to western Europe.
As a recessive characteristic, blue eyes require the inheritance of the gene from both parents in order to be present. (A closely related but different gene, dominant in blue eyes but recessive in brown eyes, is the cause of green eyes)
The so-called P protein, which is involved in the formation of melanin, is encoded by the OCA2 gene. The color of a person's skin, eyes, and hair are all influenced by this pigment. The OCA2 does not completely turn off the gene. Instead, it restricts its activity to lowering iris melanin synthesis, which "dilutes" brown eyes into blue. Humans would have albinism if the OCA2 gene had been completely eliminated or turned off, leaving them without melanin to give their hair, eyes, or skin color.
Blue-eyed GodsThere are a lot of mummies with blonde or fair hair when we look at ancient Egypt, which is likely one of the oldest civilizations ever. Similar to this, ancient statues of beings with enormous blue eyes were created by the Sumerians. The lofty temple atop the ziggurat was then constructed to house these antiquated figures. It is obvious that our ancestors attached great significance to the eye motif on these sculptures.
Jane Shuter, a forensic archaeologist, looked into various skeleton-filled Sumerian burial sites. She claimed that Sumerians were short and sturdy. They had downward-sloping eyes, straight slender noses, and thin lips. According to Shuter and other archaeologists, the Sumerians had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. The "dark-haired people" was another term used by Sumerians to describe themselves.
Even though the gods and goddesses of ancient Sumer were extremely complicated, four of these strong individuals were crucial since they were the ones who created everything. The Sumerian gods were portrayed as people. Enlil, who appeared on Earth before people were created, was one of the most powerful and significant gods."
According to their pagan mythology, of course.