Fascinating new study (https://www.researchgate.net/publica...o_Modern_Times) uses polygenic scoring (PGS) to investigate the traits of West Eurasian populations from the Paleolithic to present day.

PGS test for the presence or absence of gene variants positively or negatively associated with phenotypic traits.

Interesting findings:

- The most significant change in phenotypes occurred between the Paleolithic and Neolithic.

- Major PGS shifts during key historical periods (Neolithic and Industrial Revolutions) support gene-culture coevolution.

- No support found for Cold Winters Theory.

- IQ, EA, and SES have increased over the last 12k years; IQ from 20kya during the Last Glacial Maximum.

- Cognitive ability (IQ, EA) sharply increased between the Bronze and Iron Ages.

- Ancient Greeks had the highest IQ among historical populations, followed by Iron Age Italians (Roman Republic).

- EEF/ANF ancestry correlates with cognitive ability.

- Near Eastern ancestry correlates negatively with cognitive ability, positively with schizophrenia and neuroticism.