This study found that Neolithic populations were only slightly shorter than pre-agricultural populations and that this difference was at least partially due to genetics. Surprisingly, the lactase persistence allele was strongly associated with increased height in ancient individuals, even though it is not associated with height today.

None identified

This study provides a valuable contribution to understanding the evolutionary history of human height by integrating genomic and phenotypic data from a large sample of ancient individuals. The findings challenge established hypotheses about the Neolithic stature decline and reveal a surprising association between lactase persistence and height in ancient populations. While there are some limitations regarding the simplified categorization of time periods and reliance on femur length as the sole stature indicator, the study's robust methodology and novel findings warrant a strong rating. The lack of any identified conflicts of interest further supports this evaluation.