Europe has seven female ancestors

Nearly all Europeans share just seven common female ancestors, claims Professor Bryan Sykes of Oxford University. He studied DNA samples from 6000 people living in 20 different countries, and found seven distinct patterns of DNA variation. He studied mitochondrial DNA, which is passed on from mothers (but not fathers) to their children. 'It follows that seven clusters must have sprung from one woman each' Professor Sykes told the BBC.

Our seven maternal ancestors lived in Europe between 8000 and 45,000 years ago, says professor Sykes, which is earlier than many scientists previously thought. The women, whom Sykes has named Ursula, Xenia, Tara, Helena, Katrine, Valda and Jasmine, left descendants who survived wolves, cave bears and Ice Ages. 'This cuts through the hard science of genetic to show that these were real people, who lived real lives' says Sykes.

Sykes, whose own ancestral mother is 'Tara', has been quick to realise the commercial opportunities presented by his project. He has founded a company, Oxford Ancestors, which will trace anyone's maternal ancestry for £120.