Homo floresiensis 

Meaning of the name

The human of Flores.

Discovery site

Flores Island, Indonesia (Liang Bua Cave).

Age

Approx. 100,000–50,000 years

Height and weight

Approx. 1.0 m, 25–30 kg

Brain size

380–430 cm³ (smaller than all other known hominids)

Body characteristics

Combination of primitive and advanced features: strong over-eye region, small stature and long arms, hands with some climbing adaptation, but also ability to make and handle tools as found in Liang Bua cave, lower limbs with large feet, possibly poor runner with a kind of waddling gait.

Teeth

Overall, however, the structure of the masticatory apparatus is similar to the morphological features of Homo and shows no adaptations that are characteristic of Australopithecus. However, the first lower premolar has 2 roots (Homo sapiens: 1).

Habitat

Tropical forests and savannahs on Flores.

Nutrition

Omnivores (hunting and gathering plants).

Tools

Simple stone tools, similar to those of Homo erectus, some of the prey were dwarf elephants (Stegodon).

Best known find

So far only found on the island of Flores. Almost complete skull, a partial skeleton, further bones of at least 11 different individuals from the Liang Bua cave on the island of Flores.

Significance for evolution

Homo floresiensis represents a unique blend of primitive and modern features and raises important questions about the diversity and evolution of the genus Homo. It may have been an example of island dwarfism, an evolutionary process in which larger animals on isolated islands become smaller over time. The exact evolutionary position of Homo floresiensis is controversial; a relationship with Homo erectus or an independent lineage from an even older Homo species is possible.
The exact reasons for the extinction are unclear, but could be linked to climate change, a volcanic eruption or the arrival of modern humans (Homo sapiens) on Flores.