Homo floresiensis, or "Flores Man," was an extinct species of small archaic humans that lived on Flores Island in Indonesia.
They inhabited the region until modern humans arrived around 50,000 years ago. The latest bone remains date back to 60,000 years ago, while the youngest stone tools are from 50,000 years ago.
A previously estimated timeline of 12,000 BCE was incorrect due to an undetected inconsistency in the cave's stratigraphy.
The species' disappearance coincided with the arrival of modern humans, implying that their encounter may have led to their extinction.
The nickname "the hobbit" was given to Homo floresiensis by the discoverers, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional race. However, in 2012, a scientist was prohibited from using the term "hobbit" by the Tolkien Estate while promoting a public lecture on Homo floresiensis.
artwork by: Raoul Vitale