HISTORY: PROTO-EUROPEAN-YAMNAYA LEARN TO SPEAK WORD JUST 12,000 YEARS AGO.

European people descended from H Erectus uncivilized and mute  until 12,000 years ago

The first layer of European ancestry, the hunter-gatherers, entered Europe before the Ice Age 40,000 years ago. But 7,000 years ago, they were swept up in a migration of people from the Middle East, who introduced farming to Europe, followed 2,000 years later by the Yamnaya.

The later arrival of a tribe of ancient "horsemen" in Bronze Age times also shaped the genes of modern Europeans.

Both had an influence on the way genes for skin colour, eye colour and susceptibility to various diseases were shaped in prehistoric times.

Two populations appear to have had an impact on the height of Europeans - early farmers and horse-riding herders called the Yamnaya who entered Europe from the eastern Steppe region - in present day Ukraine and Russia - about 5,000 years ago.

Prof Pinhasi told BBC News. "Early farmers were already tall when they came into Europe.

"Part of the modern day higher stature - for example in Northern Central Europe - has its origins in the first farmers coming from Turkey into Europe."

Ancient tribes

Most modern Europeans have a genetic make-up that suggests they are descended from three ancient "tribes" - western hunter gatherers, early European farmers and "horsemen" known as the Yamnaya.

The first layer of European ancestry, the hunter-gatherers, entered Europe before the Ice Age 40,000 years ago.

But 7,000 years ago, they were swept up in a migration of people from the Middle East, who introduced farming to Europe, followed 2,000 years later by the Yamnaya.

Eppie Jones of Trinity College Dublin, co- researcher on the study, said: "This paper is taking our journey back in time ever further.