Unearthed Hobbit Fossil Unlocks Secrets of Human Evolution

Researchers have discovered a fossilized humerus of Homo floresiensis, a diminutive human species, at Mata Menge on Indonesia's Flores island. The bone, dating back 700,000 years, suggests this species is a smaller descendant of Homo erectus. This discovery aids in understanding the evolutionary process of island dwarfism.

Researchers excavating at Mata Menge on Indonesia's Flores island have unearthed a fossilized fragment of a humerus, initially mistaken for a crocodile bone. This diminutive bone, dating to about 700,000 years ago, belongs to Homo floresiensis, nicknamed 'The Hobbit'.

The Hobbit's lineage is believed to have descended from the large-bodied Homo erectus, which experienced significant body size reduction, likely due to an evolutionary process known as island dwarfism. This process is thought to benefit smaller size for survival under isolated conditions with periodic food shortages.

Lead author Yousuke Kaifu from the University of Tokyo and other researchers suggest that Homo sapiens' arrival in the region may have led to the extinction of this tiny human species. This significant finding enriches our understanding of human evolutionary history.

(With inputs from agencies.)