A new species in homo tree reveals that the pliestocene period was characterized by signifcant diversity in humanity.
“Scientists have discovered a new and tiny species of human that lived in Indonesia at the same time our own ancestors were colonising the world.
The new species – dubbed ‘the Hobbit’ due to its small size – lived on Flores island until at least 12,000 years ago.
The fact that little people feature in the legends of modern Flores islanders suggests we might have to take tales of Bigfoot and the Yeti more seriously.
Details of the sensational find are described in the journal Nature.”
One apparent consequence:
“‘The whole idea that you need a particular brain size to do anything intelligent is completely blown away by this find.’ Dr. Henry Gee, Nature”