Laura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
ArticleBody:An international team of archeologists and other researchers on the Indonesian island of Flores found new fossils that belong to extremely rare early human species. Homo floresiensis has been likened by scientists to the Hobbits from JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series due to their small stature. The three roughly 700,000 year-old bones shed light on the evolution of Homo floresiensis, or the ‘Hobbits’ of Flores.
Map made by Yousuke Kaifu with GeoMapApp /CC BY. Evidence of these early humans were first uncovered in 2003, at Liang Bua cave by a team co-led by the late archaeologist Mike Morwood. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans stood at only about 3.4 feet tall, had small brains, and lived as recently as 50,000 years ago. At this time, Homo sapiens was long established to the south in Australia.
Yousuke Kaifu “This 700,000-year-old adult humerus is not just shorter than that of Homo floresiensis, it is the smallest upper arm bone known from the hominin fossil record worldwide,” Adam Brumm, a study co-author and archeologist at Griffith University in Australia, said in a statement.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bill Belichick's slew of media jobs a 'PR makeover': NFL insiderNew girlfriend, new view of the press and a new image.
Read more »
Embattled FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh announces resignationEmbattled New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has announced her resignation.
Read more »
Reformation Taps Laura Harrier for New CollectionThe 18-piece collection co-designed by the actor features a selection of silky tops, slick bottoms, and tailored outerwear made from sustainably-sourced materials.
Read more »
Lord Of The Rings' Most Powerful Dragon Makes Smaug Look PatheticSmaug the dragon looking fierce from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings franchises
Read more »
The Hobbit Graphic Novel Is Dirt Cheap For Prime Day 2024Experience The Hobbit anew with a graphic novel illustrated by David Wenzel.
Read more »
Hobbit hominins from Indonesia may have had even smaller ancestorsAn arm bone from an ancient human that lived 700,000 years ago on the island of Flores is the smallest ever found from an adult hominin, adding a new piece to the puzzle of Homo floresiensis
Read more »