h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yes indeed - it is a very good entry.

What intrigues me however is the common assumption that Neanderthals might have been pale-skinned. I'm wondering why we think this is the case? Maybe they were, but is there any evidence one way or another?

W

I don't think there is any evidence (maybe DNA analysis will change that in future decades), but the reasoning would be that they lived in Northern climes, so would need pale skin to make vitamin D.

Which hardly explains the Inuit..

innuit have dark skin for the same reason you need sunscreen at the poles. reflected sunlight from icy surfaces. a diet high in fish is also rich in vitamin d, obviating the need to synthesise it with sunlight.

Have you ever seen a naked Inuit?