Study : Spaniards not darker than other europeans

[Ibericus]

Study says :

"Southern Europeans (measures taken from Spaniards) show a skin pigmentation in parts of the body not exposed to the sun similar to that of Northern Europeans and, in some cases, even lighter."
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/chem...color_2000.pdf

Also :
"All samples are composed of indigenous populations, and readings are taken on areas of the body not exposed to the sun. Higher values indicate lighter skin, and lower values darker skin."

Country and population or area

Observed reflectance at 685 nm

EUROPE

Netherlands
67•37
Germany (Mainz)
66•90
United Kingdom (Northern)
66•10
Spain (Basques)
65•70
United Kingdom (Wales) 65•00
Ireland (Rossmore)
64•75
Spain (Leon)
64•66
Belgium
63•14
United Kingdom (London) 62•30

WEST ASIA

Iraq/Syria (Kurds)
61•12
Turkey
59•15
Israel
58•20
Lebanon
58•20
Jordan
53•00
Saudi Arabia
52•50

NORTH AFRICA

Algeria (Aures)
58•05
Tunisia
56•30
Morrocco
54•85
Libya (Tripoli)
54•40
Libya (Fezzan) 44•00

SOUTH ASIA

India (Northern)
53•26
Pakistan
52•30
India (Southern)
46•70

EAST ASIA

China (Southern)
59•17
Vietnam
55•90
Japan (Northern)
54•90
Philippines (Manila)
54•10
Cambodia
54•00
Japan (Southwest)
53•55
Nepal (Eastern)
50•42

AUSTRO-MELANESIA

Papua New Guinea
35•30
Australia (Darwin)
19•30

AMERICAS

Greenland (Southern)
55•70
Peru (Nunoa)
47•70
Peru (Maranon)
43•05

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

South Africa (Hottentot)
46•80
Botswana (San)
42•40
Zaire
33•20
Kenya
32•40
Ethiopia
31•70
Tanzania (Sandewe)
28•90
Namibia
25•55
Cameroon (Fali)
21•50
Mozambique (Chopi)
19•45

[Nina Jablonski and George Chaplin. "The Evolution of Human Skin Coloration". J Hum Evol, 2000; pp. 74-75]
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/chem...color_2000.pdf

[Tabiti]

"Southern Europeans (measures taken from Spaniards) show a skin pigmentation in parts of the body not exposed to the sun similar to that of Northern Europeans and, in some cases, even lighter."

Yes, but the tendency to tan easily and heavily and keep that tan even in winter is "Southern trait". To prove that statement they must investigate skins of Southern Europeans, who have been living in Northern countries for years. Even without tan the skin tone differs - Northern Europeans appear to be more pinkish, while more Southern untanned ones have "wax" skin (personal observations).

[Amapola]

Oh.. no...
Not that pls, Iberia!
You don't know what you are doing to yourself and "myself" by posting such things

As I said in the other forum, I don't think we are lighter than Northern Europeans, it's obvious... but It's also true that many Southern Europeans (when sun-unexposed) have a lighter skin than many would like to believe, not being very different from them. :mmmm:

I am touching wood for that thread not to attract John here

[Amapola]

Yes, but the tendency to tan easily and heavily and keep that tan even in winter is "Southern trait". To prove that statement they must investigate skins of Southern Europeans, who have been living in Northern countries for years. Even without tan the skin tone differs - Northern Europeans appear to be more pinkish, while more Southern untanned ones have "wax" skin (personal observations).

Investigate skins of Southern Europeans that live in the North o Europe or in the north of the peninsula or simple bodily parts that are rarely sun-exposed, which I think the study already took into consideration.

And who cares!? spending so many hours under the sun we should have a type of skin that tans well for practical reasons, so the difference of skin colour of Southerners between different seasons can be astonishing.

[Tabiti]

but It's also true that many Southern Europeans (when sun-unexposed) have a lighter skin than many would like to believe, not being very different from them.

I just call that color "depigmented". Kind of my case, for example. But in any case skins in Northern and Southern Europe are different, nothing surprising.
I don't know why many Southern Europeans on such boards appear to be somehow ashamed of their ability to tan easily. It's a normal body reaction, kind of vital protection. It's linked with environment, not any non-European ancestry as some like to claim.

[Monolith]

Is it really that important to you?

[Ibericus]

No, it's not important for me, it is just a Study that kinda breaks the stereotype of spaniards being darker. I've lived in France, and I don't see any difference between spaniards and French..

[Amapola]

unexposed skin vs unexposed skin, probably you are right, not a big significant difference; other than that, Spaniards are darker than most French.

[Murphy]

that kinda breaks the stereotype of spaniards being darker.

You have dashed my dreams of finding an exotic and dark Morish princess now, my friend !

Regards,
The Papist.

[Stefan]

Pigmentation is an individual trait that has different prevalences in different countries based on both Environmental and Genetic factors(which in the long term are environmental). There are some Northern Europeans darker than some Southern Europeans, though the probability of you finding one is much lower than that of finding a darker Southern European. All you really can do is generalize as there are many factors.