The Hobbit

1
The Hobbit

• Homo floresiensis and its Importance in the 21st
  Century

By AC
2
Homo floresiensis

• Is a new species of hominid (belonging to the
  genus Homo) that was recently discovered
• It is believed to be a descendent of Homo erectus
• Homo floresiensis were alive for 83, 000 years,
  spanning a time of 95, 000 to 12,000 years ago
• This is considered to be the recent past to
  paleoanthropologists

3
Discovery of a New Species

• Discovered in September 2003 by a team of
  Australian and Indonesian archeologists and
  paleoanthropologists
• Team was excavating the large limestone cave,
  Liang Bua
• Cave was located on the island of Flores,
  Indonesia

Public Broadcasting Service
4
Wong 63
The entrance to Liang Bua was 30 m wide and 25 m
high
5
The Bones of LB1
Homo sapiens (5 feet)

• Adult female

• 3 feet (1 metre) tall

• Estimated body mass of 35 kg

Homo floresiensis (3 feet)

• Broad pelvis

• No chin

• Low braincase

• Narrow nose

• Small teeth

Wong 59
6
Descendent of Homo erectus
Homo floresiensis
Homo erectus
Wong 60
Similarities such as no chin, a low and broad
braincase, delicate teeth, a narrow nose, and
protruding brow bone determined the
classification of LB1 as a descendent of Homo
erectus
7
Controversy Arises
Is LB1 a diseased human?
8
Controversy Arises

• Microcephaly Hypothesis
• Some argued that LB1 represented a Homo sapiens
  with a pathological disease that caused a small
  head
• Others refuted the argument saying that LB1 did
  not resemble that of microcephaly skeleton
  because the body was also small
• Arguments continue back and fourth, pronouncing
  and denouncing LB1 as a new species
• With more skeletons being found with traits
  matching those of LB1, evidence is stacking up
  that LB1 was part of a population of Homo
  floresiensis and not a diseased individual

9
Importance in the 21st Century

• The History of Human Evolution
• Brain Size and Intelligence
• Human Adaptability

10
1. The History of Human Evolution

• Homo sapiens shared the Earth with Homo
  floresiensis for 13,000 years
• They existed in what is considered the recent
  past
• This changes the history of human evolution to
  include contact with other hominids that lived in
  close proximity to Homo sapiens

11
2. Brain Size and Intelligence

• Scientists have long observed that larger brains
  correspond to a higher level of intelligence in
  species of the Homo genus.
• However, Homo floresiensis had brains a third the
  size of Homo sapiens, but appeared to be equally
  adept.
• The signs of higher intelligence
• Sophicated stone tools
• Fire used for cooking
• Hunting of pygmy Stegodon elephants
• Possibility of a form of communication amongst
  people

12
2. Brain Size and Intelligence
Morwood et. al 1091
Wong 61
Wong 61
Morwood et. al 1091
Microblade
Perforator
Awl
Blade
Tools found at Liang Bua alongside the skeletal
remains of Stegodons and LB1
13
2. Brain Size and Intelligence
A Homo sapiens brain is three times larger than
that of LB1s and other Homo floresiensis brains.
Public Broadcasting Service
Homo floresiensis brain
Public Broadcasting Service
Homo sapiens brain
14
3. Human Adaptability

• Reasons for Endemic Dwarfing
• a smaller body has less energy expenditures and
  therefore
• A smaller body requires less food
• Smaller people allow for a larger population that
  is more viable against threats

The Stegodon dwarfed into a pygmy Stegodon
elephant
Wong 59
Wong 59
15
The Discovery of Homo floresiensis

• Changes the history of human evolution and the
  accepted beliefs about human intelligence and
  adaptability towards change.
• Causes scientists and others alike to re-evaluate
  the extent of human capability.