black earth from Black Earth by R. Chris Johnson

Melanin stems from the Greek word melas meaning dark of which many ancient deities and nobility were named.

Human skin is colored by the brown + black hues of eumelanin. Red hair and lips are colored by the yellow + red tones of pheomelanin.

Melanin is found in the skin, eyes, brain, adrenals, and inner ear. Absence of melanin in the inner ear has been tied to hearing loss.

Short wave ultra-violet light causes tanning of existing melanin. Long wave ultra-violet light produces more melanin. Absence of melanin leaves skin vulnerable sun exposure.

Melanin is a variable conductor electricity mediated by the presence of water.

Neuromealnin or a type of melanin found only in the brain is only present in animals of "high" intelligence.

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