Homo Floresiensis

Homo floresiensis, often referred to as the “Hobbit,” is an extinct species of small hominin that lived on the Indonesian island of Flores. The species is noted for its relatively diminutive stature, with adult individuals measuring about 3.5 feet tall, and for having a small brain size comparable to that of a modern human’s infant. Discovered in 2003 in the Liang Bua cave, Homo floresiensis exhibits a combination of primitive and derived traits, indicating a unique evolutionary path. Its age is estimated to range from approximately 100,000 to 50,000 years ago. Fossil evidence suggests that Homo floresiensis may have utilized tools and possibly controlled fire. The reasons for its small size, known as insular dwarfism, are believed to be related to the limited resources available on the island. The discovery of Homo floresiensis has sparked interest and debate regarding its relationship to modern humans and the nature of human evolution, particularly the interactions between different hominin species.