Larry Devich
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
  More on the Hobbits
There is an even better write up about them in the New York Times:

October 27, 2004
Scientists Find Skeletons of Miniature People
By NICHOLAS WADE

Once upon a time, but not so long ago, in a tropical island midway between Asia and Australia, there lived a race of little people, whose adults stood just three and a half feet high. Despite their stature, they were mighty hunters. They made stone tools with which they speared giant rats, clubbed sleeping dragons, and hunted the packs of pygmy elephants that roamed their lost world.

Strangest of all, this is no fable. Skeletons of these miniature people have been excavated from a limestone cave on Flores, an island 370 miles east of Bali, by a team of Australian and Indonesian archaeologists. Reporting their find in today's issue of Nature, they assign the people to a new human species, Homo floresiensis.


Homo floresiensis

The little Floresians lived on the island until at least 13,000 years ago, and possibly to historic times. But they were not a pygmy form of modern humans. They were a downsized version of Homo erectus, the eastern cousin of the Neanderthals of Europe. Their discovery means that archaic humans, who left Africa a million years or so earlier than modern people, survived far longer into the modern period than was previously supposed.

The island of Flores is very isolated and, before modern times, was inhabited only by a select group of animals that managed to reach it. These then became subject to unusual evolutionary forces that propelled some toward giantism and downsized others.

The carnivorous lizards that reached Flores, perhaps on natural rafts, became giant-sized and still survive, though now confined mostly to the nearby island of Komodo; they are called Komodo dragons. Elephants are excellent swimmers; those that reached Flores evolved to a dwarf form the size of an ox.

Previous excavations by Dr. Mike J. Morwood, a member of the team that found the little Floresians, showed that Homo erectus had arrived on Flores by 840,000 years ago, to judge from the evidence of crude stone tools. Presumably the descendants of these Homo erectus became subject to the same evolutionary forces that downsized the elephants.

In a written commentary accompanying the article, two anthropologists not connected with the find, Dr. Marta Mirazon Lahr and Dr. Robert Foley of the University of Cambridge, say it is "among the most outstanding discoveries in paleoanthropology for half a century."

The first little Floresian, an adult female, was found in September 2003, buried under about 20 feet of silt that coats the floor of the Liang Bua cave in Flores. A team of paleoanthropologists headed by Dr. Peter Brown, of the University of New England in Armidale, Australia, identifies the skeleton, which is not fossilized, as a very small but otherwise individual, similar to Homo erectus. Because the downsizing is so extreme - smaller than modern human pygmies - they assign it to a new species.

In a companion report Dr. Morwood, an archaeologist who is also at the University of New England, estimates that the skeleton is 18,000 years old. He has since found the remains of six more individuals in the cave, with dates ranging from 95,000 to 13,000 years ago, he said in an interview.

Also buried in the cave are a number of objects that illustrate how the little Floresians lived. There are bones of Komodo dragons, beasts 10 feet in length, and of an even larger lizard. The dragons can eat animals the size of deer, but as cold-blooded animals they are sluggish at low temperatures and not so hard to kill.

There are bones of the pygmy elephant, giant rat, fish and birds. There is evidence the Floresians knew the use of fire. And there is a suite of stone tools, considerably more sophisticated than any yet known to have been made by Homo erectus. The tools include small blades that might have been mounted on wooden shafts.

If the stone tools were made by the little Floresians, as Dr. Morwood believes, that is striking evidence of their cognitive abilities. Dr. Morwood says they must have hunted cooperatively to bring down the pygmy elephants. To conduct such hunts, and to fabricate such complex stone tools, they almost certainly had some form of language, he said.

This will be a surprising finding, if true, because the little people have brains slightly smaller than a chimpanzee and similar in size to Australopithecenes, the apelike ancestors of the human line.

Dr. Foley said he would not rule out Dr. Morwood's suggestion but noted that chimpanzees hunt cooperatively without using language. Modern humans are known to have reached Australia by at least 40,000 years ago and were probably in the general neighborhood of Flores at the same time, so it is plausible that they could have been the makers of the stone tools. "I think it's a big jump" to assume the Floresians had language, Dr. Foley said.

Dr. Morwood said he has found no sign of modern humans in Flores before 11,000 years ago so has no basis for associating them with the tools in the Liang Bua cave. Dr. G. Philip Rightmire, a paleoanthropologist at Binghamton University in New York, said he was convinced that the tools were made by the little Floresians.

"It's a wonderful demonstration of apparently 'archaic' humans adapting to the special conditions on Flores," Dr. Rightmire said. "I wouldn't have supposed that such small-brained people descended directly from Homo erectus would be capable of producing these artifacts, but the evidence is pretty compelling."

The new findings add to the rapidly emerging picture of Homo erectus, long overshadowed by the better-known Neanderthals of Europe.

Like the Neanderthals, Homo erectus generally disappears from the scene just before modern humans arrived in its territory. The little Floresians not only survived long into the modern period but, unlike most of the other archaic human populations, managed to coexist with them. They also demonstrate the adaptability of the human form and how readily humans conformed to the same pressures for pygmification that affected other island species.

Most of the extraordinary finds in paleontology have been surprising because they were so old.

"What's exciting about this one is that it's so late, telling us about the processes and patterns of evolution in a way that's deeply informative," Dr. Foley said.
 
  Hobbits were real
Well, sort of :-)

Remains of New Species of Hobbit-Sized Human Found
By Patricia Reaney
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists in Australia have found a new species of hobbit-sized humans who lived about 18,000 years ago on an Indonesian island in a discovery that adds another piece to the complex puzzle of human evolution. (Click on the title for the full story.)

Someone I know pointed out that the Flores hobbits seem to have been wiped out by a volcanic eruption. Maybe throwing that ring into the volcano wasn't really such a good idea....

"Gimme that ring, ya hairy-footed hobbit varmint! Gimme that ring
or I'll blast ya!" -- Yosemite Nazgul
 
Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura
Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

My Photo
Name:
Location: Rancho Cordova, California, United States

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11b

Archives
May 12, 2004 / May 13, 2004 / May 14, 2004 / May 15, 2004 / May 18, 2004 / May 21, 2004 / May 22, 2004 / May 25, 2004 / May 26, 2004 / May 28, 2004 / May 29, 2004 / Jun 1, 2004 / Jun 2, 2004 / Jun 3, 2004 / Jun 5, 2004 / Jun 6, 2004 / Jun 9, 2004 / Jun 11, 2004 / Jun 18, 2004 / Jun 19, 2004 / Jun 27, 2004 / Jun 28, 2004 / Jul 11, 2004 / Jul 16, 2004 / Jul 22, 2004 / Jul 27, 2004 / Jul 29, 2004 / Aug 2, 2004 / Aug 7, 2004 / Aug 14, 2004 / Aug 19, 2004 / Aug 24, 2004 / Aug 27, 2004 / Aug 31, 2004 / Sep 3, 2004 / Sep 6, 2004 / Sep 8, 2004 / Sep 10, 2004 / Sep 11, 2004 / Sep 12, 2004 / Sep 13, 2004 / Sep 14, 2004 / Sep 16, 2004 / Sep 17, 2004 / Sep 18, 2004 / Sep 23, 2004 / Sep 25, 2004 / Sep 27, 2004 / Sep 30, 2004 / Oct 1, 2004 / Oct 8, 2004 / Oct 9, 2004 / Oct 12, 2004 / Oct 13, 2004 / Oct 17, 2004 / Oct 20, 2004 / Oct 21, 2004 / Oct 23, 2004 / Oct 27, 2004 / Oct 28, 2004 / Nov 3, 2004 / Nov 4, 2004 / Nov 5, 2004 / Nov 8, 2004 / Nov 10, 2004 / Nov 12, 2004 / Nov 18, 2004 / Nov 21, 2004 / Nov 24, 2004 / Nov 26, 2004 / Dec 2, 2004 / Dec 4, 2004 / Dec 7, 2004 / Dec 11, 2004 / Dec 16, 2004 / Dec 17, 2004 / Dec 19, 2004 / Dec 25, 2004 / Jan 5, 2005 / Jan 6, 2005 / Jan 7, 2005 / Jan 11, 2005 / Jan 22, 2005 / Jan 28, 2005 / Feb 5, 2005 / Feb 18, 2005 / Feb 22, 2005 / Mar 2, 2005 / Mar 10, 2005 / Mar 22, 2005 / Mar 25, 2005 / Mar 26, 2005 / Apr 2, 2005 / Apr 9, 2005 / Apr 14, 2005 / Apr 16, 2005 / Apr 19, 2005 / Apr 27, 2005 / May 8, 2005 / May 16, 2005 / May 28, 2005 / Jun 5, 2005 / Jun 6, 2005 / Jun 13, 2005 / Jun 14, 2005 / Jun 16, 2005 / Jun 23, 2005 / Jun 24, 2005 / Jun 25, 2005 / Jun 28, 2005 / Jul 5, 2005 / Jul 7, 2005 / Jul 9, 2005 / Aug 5, 2005 / Aug 18, 2005 / Apr 13, 2006 / Apr 14, 2006 / Apr 15, 2006 / Apr 16, 2006 / Apr 17, 2006 / Apr 18, 2006 / Apr 19, 2006 / Apr 20, 2006 / Apr 21, 2006 / Apr 24, 2006 / Apr 27, 2006 / Apr 29, 2006 / May 1, 2006 / May 2, 2006 / May 3, 2006 / May 5, 2006 / May 9, 2006 / May 11, 2006 / May 13, 2006 / May 15, 2006 / May 19, 2006 / May 23, 2006 / May 25, 2006 / May 26, 2006 / May 27, 2006 / May 31, 2006 / Jun 1, 2006 / Jun 2, 2006 / Jun 5, 2006 / Jun 6, 2006 / Jun 8, 2006 / Jun 9, 2006 / Jun 10, 2006 / Jun 11, 2006 / Jun 12, 2006 / Jun 13, 2006 / Jun 14, 2006 / Jun 15, 2006 / Jun 16, 2006 / Jun 17, 2006 / Jun 18, 2006 / Jun 19, 2006 / Jun 20, 2006 / Jun 21, 2006 / Jun 22, 2006 / Jun 23, 2006 / Jun 24, 2006 / Jun 25, 2006 / Jun 26, 2006 / Jun 27, 2006 / Jun 28, 2006 / Jun 29, 2006 / Jun 30, 2006 / Jul 1, 2006 / Jul 2, 2006 / Jul 3, 2006 / Jul 4, 2006 / Jul 5, 2006 / Jul 6, 2006 / Jul 7, 2006 / Jul 8, 2006 / Jul 9, 2006 / Jul 10, 2006 / Jul 11, 2006 / Jul 12, 2006 / Jul 13, 2006 / Jul 14, 2006 / Jul 15, 2006 / Jul 16, 2006 / Jul 17, 2006 / Jul 18, 2006 / Jul 19, 2006 / Jul 20, 2006 / Jul 21, 2006 / Jul 22, 2006 / Jul 23, 2006 / Jul 25, 2006 / Jul 26, 2006 / Jul 28, 2006 / Jul 29, 2006 / Jul 30, 2006 / Jul 31, 2006 / Aug 1, 2006 / Aug 2, 2006 / Aug 3, 2006 / Aug 4, 2006 / Aug 5, 2006 / Aug 6, 2006 / Aug 7, 2006 / Aug 8, 2006 / Aug 9, 2006 / Aug 10, 2006 / Aug 11, 2006 / Aug 12, 2006 / Aug 13, 2006 / Aug 14, 2006 / Aug 15, 2006 / Aug 16, 2006 / Aug 17, 2006 / Aug 18, 2006 / Aug 19, 2006 / Aug 20, 2006 / Aug 21, 2006 / Aug 22, 2006 / Aug 23, 2006 / Aug 24, 2006 / Aug 25, 2006 / Aug 26, 2006 / Aug 27, 2006 / Aug 28, 2006 / Aug 29, 2006 / Aug 30, 2006 / Aug 31, 2006 / Sep 1, 2006 / Sep 2, 2006 / Sep 3, 2006 / Sep 4, 2006 / Sep 5, 2006 / Sep 6, 2006 / Sep 7, 2006 / Sep 8, 2006 / Sep 9, 2006 / Sep 10, 2006 / Sep 11, 2006 / Sep 12, 2006 / Sep 13, 2006 / Sep 14, 2006 / Sep 15, 2006 / Sep 16, 2006 / Sep 17, 2006 / Sep 18, 2006 / Sep 19, 2006 / Sep 20, 2006 / Sep 21, 2006 / Sep 22, 2006 / Sep 23, 2006 / Sep 24, 2006 / Sep 25, 2006 / Sep 26, 2006 / Sep 27, 2006 / Sep 30, 2006 / Oct 12, 2006 / Oct 17, 2006 / Oct 22, 2006 / Oct 26, 2006 / Nov 7, 2006 / Nov 8, 2006 / Nov 14, 2006 / Nov 15, 2006 / Nov 17, 2006 / Nov 18, 2006 / Nov 23, 2006 / Dec 2, 2006 / Dec 3, 2006 / Dec 4, 2006 / Dec 5, 2006 / Dec 6, 2006 / Dec 7, 2006 / Dec 8, 2006 / Dec 9, 2006 / Dec 10, 2006 / Dec 11, 2006 / Dec 12, 2006 / Dec 13, 2006 / Dec 14, 2006 / Dec 15, 2006 / Dec 16, 2006 / Dec 17, 2006 / Dec 19, 2006 / Dec 20, 2006 / Dec 21, 2006 / Dec 22, 2006 / Dec 23, 2006 / Dec 24, 2006 / Dec 25, 2006 / Dec 26, 2006 / Dec 27, 2006 / Dec 28, 2006 / Dec 29, 2006 / Jan 2, 2007 / Jan 4, 2007 / Jan 5, 2007 / Jan 6, 2007 / Jan 7, 2007 / Jan 8, 2007 / Jan 9, 2007 / Jan 10, 2007 / Jan 11, 2007 / Jan 13, 2007 / Jan 14, 2007 / Jan 16, 2007 / Jan 18, 2007 / Jan 19, 2007 / Jan 20, 2007 / Jan 21, 2007 / Jan 22, 2007 / Jan 24, 2007 / Jan 25, 2007 / Jan 26, 2007 / Jan 27, 2007 / Jan 28, 2007 / Jan 29, 2007 / Jan 31, 2007 / Feb 1, 2007 / Feb 2, 2007 / Feb 3, 2007 / Feb 4, 2007 / Feb 5, 2007 / Feb 6, 2007 / Feb 8, 2007 / Feb 9, 2007 / Feb 10, 2007 / Feb 12, 2007 / Feb 13, 2007 / Feb 14, 2007 / Feb 15, 2007 / Feb 16, 2007 / Feb 18, 2007 / Feb 23, 2007 / Feb 24, 2007 / Feb 25, 2007 / Feb 26, 2007 / Feb 27, 2007 / Mar 1, 2007 / Mar 2, 2007 / Mar 3, 2007 / Mar 4, 2007 / Mar 5, 2007 / Mar 6, 2007 / Mar 7, 2007 / Mar 8, 2007 / Mar 10, 2007 / Mar 11, 2007 / Mar 12, 2007 / Mar 13, 2007 / Mar 14, 2007 / Mar 15, 2007 / Mar 16, 2007 / Mar 18, 2007 / Mar 19, 2007 / Mar 20, 2007 / Mar 21, 2007 / Mar 23, 2007 / Mar 24, 2007 / Mar 26, 2007 / Mar 27, 2007 / Mar 28, 2007 / Mar 31, 2007 / Apr 1, 2007 / Apr 2, 2007 / Apr 3, 2007 / Apr 4, 2007 / Apr 6, 2007 / Apr 7, 2007 / Apr 8, 2007 / Apr 13, 2007 / Apr 22, 2007 / Apr 23, 2007 / Apr 24, 2007 / May 2, 2007 / May 8, 2007 / May 18, 2007 / May 20, 2007 / May 23, 2007 / May 27, 2007 / May 28, 2007 / May 29, 2007 / May 30, 2007 / Jun 1, 2007 / Jun 2, 2007 / Jun 3, 2007 / Jun 4, 2007 / Jun 5, 2007 / Jun 8, 2007 / Jun 11, 2007 / Jun 12, 2007 / Jun 23, 2007 / Jun 24, 2007 / Jun 25, 2007 / Jun 27, 2007 / Jul 1, 2007 / Jul 2, 2007 / Jul 5, 2007 / Jul 14, 2007 / Jul 23, 2007 / Jul 27, 2007 / Jul 28, 2007 / Aug 1, 2007 / Aug 6, 2007 / Aug 10, 2007 / Aug 22, 2007 / Aug 27, 2007 /


Powered by Blogger

Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]