Hobbit fossils discovered

Recent discoveries on the Indonesian island of Flores have revealed new fossils of Homo floresiensis, the diminutive species nicknamed 'Hobbit' due to its small stature, measuring about 3.4 feet tall. These fossils, which include a humerus and teeth, suggest that the ancestors of Homo floresiensis were even shorter, standing roughly 2.4 inches shorter than previously believed. The findings, published in Nature Communications, support the theory that these hominins evolved from Homo erectus, undergoing a significant reduction in size due to island dwarfism. Researchers speculate that the arrival of Homo sapiens in the region may have contributed to the extinction of these ancient humans approximately 50,000 years ago. The ongoing debate regarding their evolutionary origins continues, with hypotheses ranging from a descendant of Homo erectus to a remnant of older hominin species. This latest analysis enriches our understanding of human evolution and the unique adaptations of island-dwelling species.