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Homo Floresiensis: the Hobbits of Flores Island

© John Walsh

We humans are not as unique as we think we are. Until at least 12,000 years ago, we shared the world with the one metre tall 'hobbits' (as they have been nicknamed by some researchers) living on the island of Flores. They have been given the scientific name, therefore, of homo floresiensis. The island of Flores is a remote place without much known contact previously with the very early homo erectus known to have lived on Java.

There is plenty of evidence for this miniaturisation of creatures on islands with small populations and as a response to the effects of evolution. One example of this is the dwarf mammoths which were found on small islands off Siberia much later than the rest of their peers had become extinct.

It seems likely that homo floresiensis shared their island with stegodons - dwarf elephants about the size of ponies, which it is likely that they hunted. It is also possible that they spent much of their time living in the trees, which would be hardly surprising given that they had to share their habitat with giant komodo dragons and rats the size of large dogs.

Remains of seven individuals have been found and analysis demonstrates that they were adults of a completely different type than any that have been discovered to date.

Modern Flores islanders have legends of tiny creatures with which they shared their island in history. So too have many other peoples around the world, from the leprechauns of Ireland to the Yowies of the Australian Aborigines. Perhaps it is the case that these myths and folk memories have their roots in real life little people such as homo floresiensis and that re-evaluation of where suitable habitats might have been will yield new archaeological finds. In any case, the find of homo floresiensis as a separate kind of human living at the same time as modern humans (homo sapiens) and much more recently than, for example, the Neanderthals who lived in Europe with us until about 35,000 years ago, must change our understanding of the nature of evolution and of human history.
The painstaking research of scientists over the course of years, often in the face of numerous practical difficulties, truly allows us to stand on the shoulders of giants. That is, we build on the knowledge and achievements of those who come before us to advance our understanding of the world and the universe and of our place within it. It is vital that we encourage our children not just to be aware of the discoveries constantly being made but also that they become familiar with the scientific method and the processes of rigorous critical thinking that will enable them to engage with the world and help improve society.