Where Did Indonesia’s Hobbits Go? Study Reveals Major New Clues

Years ago, humanity lost one of its last surviving hominin cousins, Homo floresiensis (also known as ‘the hobbit’ thanks to its small stature). The cause of its disappearance, after more than a million years living on the isolated volcanic island of Flores, Indonesia, has been a longstanding mystery. Now, new evidence suggests a period of extreme drought starting about 61,000 years ago may have contributed to the hobbits’ disappearance. Our new study, published today in Communications Earth & Environment, reveals a story of ecological boom and bust. We’ve compiled the most detailed climate record to date for the site where these ancient hominins once lived. Scientists Finally Reveal Why ‘Hobbits’ Were So Small It turns out that H. floresiensis and one of its primary prey, a pygmy elephant, were both forced away from home by a drought lasting thousands of years – and may have come face-to-face with the much larger Homo sapiens. An island with deep caves The discovery of H. floresiensis in 2003 changed our thinking on what makes us human. These diminutive, small-brained hominins, standing only 1.1 metres tall, made stone tools. Against the odds, they reached Flores seemingly without boat technology. Bones and stone tools from H. floresiensis were found in Liang Bua cave, hidden away in a small valley in the uplands of the island.