Most Britons descended from male farmers who left Iraq and Syria 10,000 years ago (and were seduced by the local hunter-gatherer women)

By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 1:37 PM on 20th January 2010

Ancestors: Farmers from Iraq and Syria in 8000 BC built up communities in Britain

The invention of farming led to the first towns and paved the way for the dawn of civilisation.

The Leicester University study looked at a common genetic mutation on the Y chromosome, the DNA that is passed down from fathers to sons. More here.

Tomb of the Saxon Queen: Discovered, Alfred's granddaughter

By David Derbyshire
Last updated at 10:13 AM on 21st January 2010

Discovered: The remains of Alfred the Great's granddaughter, Eadgyth - a Saxon Queen and one of the oldest members of the English royal family have been unearthed in a tomb in Germany - More here.