New study reveals archaic ‘hobbits’ were even smaller than previously thought

Recent fossil discoveries on the Indonesian island of Flores have revealed that the ancient human species, Homo floresiensis, commonly referred to as “hobbits” due to their small stature, were even tinier than previously thought.

New study reveals archaic 'hobbits' were even smaller than previously thoughtNew fossils from Mata Menge. Credit: Kaifu et al., Nature Communications (2024)

Homo floresiensis was first discovered in 2003 in the Liang Bua cave on Flores. The initial fossils indicated that these small-brained humans lived on the island as recently as 50,000 years ago, while Homo sapiens had already established themselves in nearby regions. The original specimens suggested that individuals of this species grew to about 3 feet 6 inches tall, with small brains and relatively large teeth.

The origin of Homo floresiensis has been a subject of much debate. Some researchers believed they were a dwarfed version of Homo erectus, an early human ancestor that lived in Asia. Others speculated that they might be a remnant of an even more ancient small-statured human ancestor from Africa predating Homo erectus.

At a site called Mata Menge, approximately 45 miles from the Liang Bua cave, researchers have uncovered new fossils dating back 700,000 years. These include a tiny adult humerus bone, jaw fragments, and teeth, suggesting that the ancestors of Homo floresiensis were even smaller, standing around 3 feet 3 inches tall. This is about 2.4 inches shorter than previously estimated.

New study reveals archaic 'hobbits' were even smaller than previously thoughtReconstruction of the head of a Homo floresiensis individual, as on display at the Smithsonian’s Natural Museum of Natural History. Credit: Karen Neoh, via Flickr

Adam Brumm, a co-author of the study and an archaeology professor at Griffith University’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, noted, “This 700,000-year-old adult humerus is not just shorter than that of Homo floresiensis; it is the smallest upper arm bone known from the hominin fossil record worldwide.”

The diminutive size of Homo floresiensis is thought to be a result of phyletic dwarfism, an evolutionary process where species evolve smaller body sizes when isolated on islands with limited resources and no significant predators. This phenomenon is well-documented in other island species, such as elephants, deer, and cattle.

Yousuke Kaifu, a professor of anthropology at the University of Tokyo and lead author of the study, told the ᴀssociated Press news agency “We did not expect that we would find smaller individuals from such an old site.” He also told Live Science that the small body size of Homo floresiensis likely evolved within the first 300,000 years of their history on the island and remained consistent for over 600,000 years.

The new fossils provide compelling evidence that Homo floresiensis evolved from Homo erectus through a dramatic reduction in body size. Despite these advances, many questions about Homo floresiensis remain unanswered. Researchers are still uncertain about the exact timeline and mechanisms of their evolution.

More information: Kaifu, Y., Kurniawan, I., Mizushima, S. et al. (2024). Early evolution of small body size in Homo floresiensis. Nature Communications 15, 6381. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-50649-7

Related Posts

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

A literary enigma that has puzzled scholars for more than a century might have finally been unraveled. Researchers at Cambridge University have reinterpreted a fragment of the…

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

A recent archaeological study is rewriting our understanding of medieval food and the Christian influence on the foodways of Europe. Contrary to long-held ᴀssumptions that Christianity led…

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

A new study, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, reveals an astonishing transformation in elk images in 12,000 years of Altai rock art…

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

A recent expedition to Tanzania by the SCAVENGERS project team has revealed that wild hyenas can significantly alter the archaeological record of early human campsites. Led by…

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have revealed the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The excavation, ahead of a…

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Archaeologists excavating Oslo’s historic neighborhood of Bjørvika have uncovered a trove of medieval leather artifacts—over 2,900 pieces, including hundreds of beautifully preserved shoes, bags, and knife sheaths….