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Homo Floresiensis - Hobbit

'Hobbits' did exist and were a separate species

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I am sure many of our readers are fans of The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien, which means that you would have heard of the Hobbits, a race of dwarf humanoids playing a major role in the events of these books.

Well ‘Homo floresiensis’ , otherwise called ‘Hobbit’, is considered to be a dwarf-like human species with a height of around 1 metre and small brains that co-existed with us until about 12,000 years ago, when they disappeared. It may not be the same Hobbits as the ones of Tolkien, but they have many similarities.

There are three different theories as to the origins of that species. One theory suggests that it was a group of humans that had a disease that restricted their size, while another theory supports that Hobbits evolved from an ape like creature in Africa millions of years ago. The third theory is that it was the result of dwarfism occurring in Homo Erectus species, which flourished mainly in Asia.

A new study based on the remains found on an Indonesian island, suggests that it is possible to be a separate species of the early human beings. Dr Kaifu and his Japanese team support that their latest scans show that Hobbits cannot be a devolved Homo Erectus Species because their brain size is too small to just be a devolution of the Homo Erectus. Therefore they must have been a separate human species. If such findings are true, then the question is how this human species appeared and what are its origins?

Of course Kaifu’s suggestion won’t be taken lightly in the scientific community, therefore creating more debates and adding Kaifu’s finding as the fourth hypothesis of the origins of Homo Floresiensis.

By John Black

 
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John Black

Dr John (Ioannis) Syrigos initially began writing on Ancient Origins under the pen name John Black. He is both a co-owner and co-founder of Ancient Origins.

John is a computer & electrical engineer with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, a... Read More

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