An international research contingent, featuring academics from the University of Wollongong, has determined that alterations in climate likely served as the primary driver behind the extinction of Homo floresiensis—the diminutive ancient human commonly termed the hobbit. This study was formally presented in the journal Communication Earth & Environment (CEE).
The habitat utilized by Homo floresiensis encompassed the Indonesian isle of Flores, with their remains initially unearthed in 2003 within the Liang Bua cave. Archaeologists posit that this species persisted in the region for approximately 140 millennia, vanishing around 50,000 years ago. The rationale behind their demise remained ambiguous for an extended duration.
To reconstruct the climatic conditions prevalent during that era, specialists examined chemical markers preserved within the cave’s stalagmites. Furthermore, the isotopic makeup of fossilized dental enamel from the dwarf stegodon (Stegodon florensis insularis), which represented the primary prey of the hobbits, was scrutinized.
The investigation revealed that a progressive shift toward drier environmental conditions commenced around 76,000 years ago, culminating in a protracted and severe drought between 61,000 and 55,000 years ago. This precise timeframe correlates exactly with the disappearance of Homo floresiensis.
The investigation’s originators noted that summer precipitation levels declined, leading to the drying up of riverbeds. This presented significant ecological strain for both the hobbits and the animals they hunted.
Stalagmites originate from dripping water, effectively functioning as archives of past rainfall. Analyzing them permits the reconstruction of ancient precipitation patterns. Concurrently, isotopic evidence derived from the stegodons’ teeth indicated their dependency on riverine water sources, access to which was severely curtailed.
Around 61,000 years ago, the population figures for the dwarf elephants began a sharp decline. Given that these creatures constituted a crucial component of the Homo floresiensis diet, this reduction in prey availability posed a serious challenge to the ancient hominins.
The scientists surmise that intensified competition for dwindling resources compelled the hobbits to abandon Liang Bua. It is plausible that in their quest for sustenance and potable water, Homo floresiensis encountered populations of Homo sapiens, who were, by that period, already expanding across the Indonesian archipelago. This interaction likely contributed to one of the most significant factors leading to the hobbits’ extinction.
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