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The Startling Discovery and Strange Story of the Hobbits of Flores, Indonesia

Brian West

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Published in A New Human: The Startling Discovery And Strange Story Of The Hobbits Of Flores Indonesia

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In 2003, a team of Australian and Indonesian scientists made a startling discovery on the island of Flores, Indonesia: the remains of a tiny human species that lived until as recently as 12,000 years ago. These diminutive hominins, dubbed 'hobbits' by the media, were just over a meter tall and had brains about the size of a chimpanzee's. Their discovery has forced scientists to rethink our understanding of human evolution and raised questions about the diversity of hominin species that once inhabited the Earth.

A New Human: The Startling Discovery and Strange Story of the "Hobbits" of Flores, Indonesia

by Chris Hedges

4.8 out of 5

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The hobbits, who were given the scientific name Homo floresiensis, were first discovered in a cave on the island of Flores. The cave, known as Liang Bua, had been excavated by a team of Indonesian archaeologists led by Dr. Mike Morwood. Morwood and his team had been searching for evidence of early humans on Flores for several years, but they had never expected to find anything like the hobbits.

The hobbits were much smaller than any other known species of human. They stood just over a meter tall and weighed about 25 kilograms. Their brains were also much smaller than those of modern humans, with an average volume of about 400 cubic centimeters. This is about the same size as the brain of a chimpanzee.

Despite their small size, the hobbits were able to survive on Flores for thousands of years. They were skilled hunters and gatherers, and they made tools and weapons that were similar to those used by other hominin species. The hobbits also lived in caves, which may have helped to protect them from predators.

The discovery of the hobbits has been one of the most important archaeological discoveries in recent years. It has forced scientists to rethink our understanding of human evolution and raised questions about the diversity of hominin species that once inhabited the Earth. The hobbits are a reminder that our evolutionary history is much more complex than we once thought.

Anatomy of the Hobbits

The hobbits were a small-bodied species of hominin, with an average height of just over a meter. They had relatively long arms and short legs, and their bodies were covered in hair. The hobbits' hands were long and slender, and their feet were broad and flat. Their thumbs were opposable, which allowed them to grip objects with precision.

The hobbits' skulls were small and rounded, with a prominent brow ridge and a sloping forehead. Their jaws were also relatively small, and their teeth were small and delicate. The hobbits' brains were about the same size as the brains of chimpanzees, with an average volume of about 400 cubic centimeters.

The hobbits' bodies were well-adapted for climbing trees. They had strong arms and legs, and their feet were well-suited for grasping branches. The hobbits' long fingers and opposable thumbs also allowed them to grip objects with precision.

Behavior of the Hobbits

The hobbits were skilled hunters and gatherers. They used a variety of tools and weapons, including stone tools, bone tools, and wooden spears. The hobbits also hunted animals, such as rats, bats, and birds. They also gathered plants, such as fruits, nuts, and seeds.

The hobbits lived in caves, which may have helped to protect them from predators. They also built shelters out of branches and leaves. The hobbits were social animals, and they lived in groups of up to 20 individuals.

The hobbits were a peaceful people, and they did not engage in warfare. They were also very curious, and they were always eager to learn new things.

Extinction of the Hobbits

The hobbits disappeared from Flores about 12,000 years ago. The cause of their extinction is unknown, but it may have been due to a combination of factors, such as climate change, hunting by humans, and competition from other species.

A New Human: The Startling Discovery and Strange Story of the "Hobbits" of Flores, Indonesia

by Chris Hedges

4.8 out of 5