Proof of Human evolution

[Despanan]

Also: Hobbits.

Hobbit-Like Human Ancestor Found in Asia
Hillary Mayell
for National Geographic News
October 27, 2004

Scientists have found skeletons of a hobbit-like species of human that grew no larger than a three-year-old modern child (See pictures). The tiny humans, who had skulls about the size of grapefruits, lived with pygmy elephants and Komodo dragons on a remote island in Indonesia 18,000 years ago.

Australian and Indonesian researchers discovered bones of the miniature humans in a cave on Flores, an island east of Bali and midway between Asia and Australia.

Scientists have determined that the first skeleton they found belongs to a species of human completely new to science. Named Homo floresiensis, after the island on which it was found, the tiny human has also been dubbed by dig workers as the "hobbit," after the tiny creatures from the Lord of the Rings books.

The original skeleton, a female, stood at just 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall, weighed about 25 kilograms (55 pounds), and was around 30 years old at the time of her death 18,000 years ago.

The skeleton was found in the same sediment deposits on Flores that have also been found to contain stone tools and the bones of dwarf elephants, giant rodents, and Komodo dragons, lizards that can grow to 10 feet (3 meters) and that still live today.

Homo floresienses has been described as one of the most spectacular discoveries in paleoanthropology in half a century—and the most extreme human ever discovered.

The species inhabited Flores as recently as 13,000 years ago, which means it would have lived at the same time as modern humans, scientists say...

This is old, but it's news to me. Anyway Homo Floresiensis is now my favorite Homo, because it's a hobbit named "Florence".

[Solumina]

If I remember correctly there is a lot of debate as to whether they are a separate species of humanoids or simply that the local human population was prone to an as of yet unknown deformity since the bones only seem to be found in the one cave (near where there was a known human population) and I don't think they have gotten any viable DNA samples to test. It is an interesting subject to study and I had kind of forgotten about it so thanks for the reminder.

[Saya]

Yeah, there was a huge controversy as to whether they were just humans who developed cretinism, last I heard evidence suggested they have an older ancestor than homo erectus (teehee) http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...07/2562944.htm

[6SixSick]

Originally Posted by Saya

Yeah, there was a huge controversy as to whether they were just humans who developed cretinism, last I heard evidence suggested they have an older ancestor than homo erectus (teehee) http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...07/2562944.htm

All male pornstars are directly descended from Homo Erectus FACT this is why you rearely see their faces in pr0n videos as it would scare the life out of you!

[$haDe]

Originally Posted by Despanan

Anyway Homo Floresiensis is now my favorite Homo,

I love it when people play with pun. xD

[J.Q. Stanley]

Haha "Erectus".