Indonesian Hobbits Are Not Homo Sapiens

STATES CHRONICLE – According to a new study, the mysterious Indonesian hobbits are not Homo sapiens or modern humans. Scientists say these tiny people who lived on an Indonesian island approximately 15 years ago are no related whatsoever to modern humans.  Experts believe these little people might have been a whole different species.

In 2003, a group of researchers discovered the so-called hobbits on the island of Flores in Indonesia. Later, the newly discovered species was named Homo floresiensis. Ever since the discovery, scientists have been trying to point out whether the species belong to an unidentified form of early humans or are modern humans affected by some sort of disease.

After some examination, it was found that an adult hobbit weighs around 55 pounds and stands almost three feet tall. Experts have various theories regarding the hobbits’ origins. Some think the hobbits came from a group called Homo erectus, becoming smaller in time.

This theory is supported by a process scientists call ‘insular dwarfing’. This process could have diminished creatures’ size due to lack of food after moving across lands during the low sea level period. The tiny people were believed to have isolated themselves on the island when oceans rose again. Other scientists claim the hobbits were humans who suffered from a genetic condition which made them become smaller in size.

However, a new study conducted by two French researchers revealed these hobbits have no similarities with Homo sapiens or modern humans. They examined the skull bones, paying attention to each layer. They particularly evaluated one specimen called Liang Bua 1, which appeared to have the most intact skull.

The main author of the study, Antoine Balzeau from France’s Natural History Museum, said

‘So far, we have been basing our conclusions on images where you don’t really see very much’.

Moreover, she claimed the bone structures of the skull gave them many clues, but the overall picture is still ambiguous. Eventually she added that Homo floresiensis did not share any similarities with Homo sapiens.

The genetic disease theory was ruled out as researchers didn’t find any proof that supports this idea. The most reasonable theory is the mysterious Indonesian hobbits are not Homo sapiens. They may be a tiny version of the Homo erectus or are a whole different species. Nonetheless, researchers said they still need to conduct more studies in order to find more information about these tiny creatures.

Photo Credits: Wikimedia