In a significant archaeological discovery, scientists in Indonesia have unearthed the fossilized remains of diminutive early humans nicknamed ‘hobbits’ that walked the earth over 700,000 years ago. The excavated bones and teeth provide remarkable evidence that a primitive human species of exceptionally small stature once inhabited the region.

Found in limestone caves on the island of Flores, the skeletal remains indicate these hominins stood just three feet tall as adults yet were capable of producing stone tools and controlling fire. This combination of small size and advanced skill makes the hobbit people truly extraordinary.

While only fragments of skulls and extremities were found, scientists leveraged sophisticated techniques to date the fossils and analyze the ancient hobbit DNA. They established that these tiny humans were a distinct species within the genus Homo, although the origins remain unclear.

The Hobbit, scientifically called Homo floresiensis, would have encountered other early humans including Homo erectus when they lived an estimated 700,000 to 60,000 years ago. Scientists continue studying the rare fossils to better understand the ancestry, behavior, and demise of this diminutive human cousin.

This discovery expands our knowledge of the diversity of the ancient human family tree. That human relatives with chimpanzee-sized brains could thrive for millennia reveals the tremendous adaptability of early people. Indonesia’s caves continue providing anthropologists with astounding artifacts enriching our narrative of mankind’s evolution