Homo Floresiensis: Proof of Hobbits?

Homo floresiensis (literally, "man of Flores"), is a species of the genus Homo that is believed to have existed alongside modern humans on the island of Flores in Indonesia. The most complete skeleton, discovered in 2003 and dating to only 18,000 years ago, indicates that the species had a small brain and body. This has earned them the nickname of "hobbit", referencing the fictional race in the Lord of the Rings series.

The only remains discovered of H. floresiensis were by a team seeking evidence on Flores of human migration southward into Australia. Instead, they found remains of about seven individuals in a limestone cave, along with stone tools that they might have used. Because they were not fully fossilized, it is hoped that some mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) has been preserved inside the bones.

It is believed that Homo floresiensis and modern humans (Homo sapiens) shared a common ancestry by way of Homo erectus. The reason why Homo floresiensis is so much smaller than the latter two species is probably due to a form of natural selection called "island dwarfing", in which smaller descendents are selected for to provide a survival advantage on the island. The result of this dwarfing, Homo floresiensis stands just over 3 feet (1 metre) in height. Even modern day groups of African Pygmies average just less than 5 ft tall. Homo floresiensis may have only weighed about 55 lbs (25 kg).

Homo floresiensis also had a relatively small brain, smaller than even that of an average chimpanzee (about 380 cubic centimeters). Even its predecessor, Homo erectus, had a brain nearly three times as large in volume. Despite this small brain size, there is evidence of tool use, organized hunting, fire-making, and cooking of food.

Whether or not Homo floresiensis interacted regularly with modern humans is unknown. They did survive much longer than Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis),who died out approximately 30,000 years ago. There are ancient storiesin the area that refer to a small, hairy race of people called "EbuGogo", of which there are anecdotal accounts as recently as the 1800s.