Unveiling the Secrets of Flores’ Tiny Humans
Excavations on the Indonesian island of Flores have unearthed a 700,000-year-old bone fragment, confirming the existence of three-foot-tall early humans, possibly related to Homo floresiensis, also known as “hobbits”. This discovery is a significant find, shedding light on the evolution of human species.
The Mysterious “Hobbits” of Flores
Twenty years ago, archaeologists discovered fossils of Homo floresiensis, a species that stood at three and a half feet tall. Nicknamed “hobbits” due to their size, these early humans were found to have small teeth and jaws. The latest discovery has revealed an even smaller individual, standing at just 2.4 inches shorter than the original “hobbits”.
Confirming the Find
Professor Yousuke Kaifu, involved in the study, expressed his excitement and surprise at the discovery. “It was so small that normally it is a child. But we were aware that Homo floresiensis were small and had small teeth and jaws so we needed to confirm.” The analysis of the bone fragment revealed that it was indeed an adult, leaving researchers eager to learn more about these tiny humans.
The Evolutionary Story
The discovery of these tiny humans raises questions about their place in the human evolutionary story. Further research will be needed to determine how they evolved to be so small and what their lifestyle was like. Professor Kaifu notes that it’s intriguing to see that Homo floresiensis remained at a small size for possibly 600,000 years without any major evolution.
A Different Destiny
The discovery of these tiny humans serves as a reminder that human evolution took different paths in different parts of the world. While brain size and body proportions increased in other parts of the world, leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens, Flores’ tiny humans followed a unique path. This finding highlights the complexity and diversity of human evolution, offering a fascinating glimpse into our ancient past.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Sun
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