A New Human: The Startling Discovery and Strange Story of the "Hobbits" of Flores, Indonesia

by Mike Morwood, Penny van Oosterzee

In October 2004, a team of Australian and Indonesian anthropologists led by Mike Morwood and Raden Pandji Soejono stunned the world with their announcement of the discovery of the first example of a new species of human, Homo floresiensis , which they nicknamed the "Hobbit." This was no creation of Tolkien's fantasy, however, but a tool-using, fire-making, cooperatively hunting person. The more Morwood and his colleagues revealed about the find, the more astonishing it standing only three feet tall with brains a little larger than a can of cola, the Hobbits forced anthropologists and everyone to reconsider what it means to be human. Morwood's work was no ordinary academic exercise. Along the way he had to tread warily through the cultural landscape of Indonesia—he has an embarrassing mishap with some hard-to-chew pork—and he demonstrated that sometimes the life of a real archaeologist can be a bit like Indiana Jones's when he risked his neck in an ocean-going raft to experience how ancient Indonesians might have navigated the archipelago. Even more, Morwood had to navigate the rock shoals of an archaeological bureaucracy that could be obtuse and even spiteful, and when the Hobbits became embroiled in scientific controversy—as no find of such magnitude could avoid—it proved easy for Morwood to get nearly swamped with trouble. Finds were stolen and damaged, and the backbiting was fierce. But the light of science, once brightened, is difficult to dim, and the story of the indefatigable Morwood's fight to defend his find discovery is an inspiration.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Anthropology, History, Archaeology, Biology, Palaeontology

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting account of the unearthing of a new species of human. Great over view of man's progression and the geologic forces that have shaped the stage where our lives and those of our very distant ancestors were lived out on.

I was aware of the internecine conflicts that exist in academia, but it was distressing nevertheless. In addition to rivals who debunked the meanings of the find to protect their own egos, there was also political maneuvering as elders in the Indonesian government tried to jockey for position. True brilliance, creativity, and originality are never given the latitude to soar with the eagles. Rather they are pecked relentlessly by turkeys. Some scientists become rigid in their adherence to a particular paradigm and torque the findings to conform with their particular bias.

Due to misplaced national pride, the remains were confiscated and damaged while ineptly handled and molds were made. Broken bones and teeth were glued back together. Appalling.

An interesting bon mot that I was unaware of was the "island dwarfing" phenomenon. It is a demonstrable fact that when large animals migrate to an island, they gradually become diminutive after successive generations. Conversely, smaller animals become larger. So on an island fossils of tiny elephants are found alongside fossils of giant rats.

This book has inspired me to learn the latest about early man. The National Geographic Deep Ancestry project will also add to man's knowledge of where we all came from.

[Adam McPhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that homo floresiensis hunted dwarf stegadons, but apparently they also hunted komodo dragons! Imagine that - three feet tall and taking down mini-elephants and giant lizards.

For a long time I had my doubts about whether they were a separate species of human and gave into the idea that they were all pathological specimens, a whole tribe of microcephalic down syndrome autists. I think I let myself believe that because I wanted them to be a separate species and anything I want is automatically bad or wrong. But this book convinced me that homo floresiensis is a different species and that the world is a wider and crazier place than we give it credit for.

The book does a great job of outlining the finds, breaking down the discoveries and finding meaning in them, as well as giving an exciting recount of their discovery and the subsequent politicking and academic backbiting that a discovery of such a magnitude entails.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (the revised version, dated 2007) tells the story of the discovery of Homo floresiensis (hobbit) remains on the island of Flores, the analyses to discover who these people were and what relationship they had with Homo sapiens, and the jealous scientists who tried to undermine the discoverers' credibility and who damaged the fossils.

This book covers the fossils themselves as well as the history of human, hobbit, crop, and animal arrivals and extinctions on the island. It also discusses the modern-day people of Flores and their lifestyle.

[Jeremy Begley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most interesting and thought provoking books I have read in some time.

[Nick Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, and at times eye-opening, first hand account of the discovery of Homo floresiensis, the first of multiple discoveries this century that have really shaken up our understanding of the human story. A fairly easy read too.

[Dominic Neesam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quote from the book, 'The most important find in paleoanthropology for 50 years'. In parts, there seems to be a little too much emphasis on the politics and wranglings between the International/Indonesian labs but the arguments against genetic morthology are solid and well explained meaning we do indeed have a new human who incredibly lived until 12,000 years ago.

How equally incredible that JRR Tolkien's masterpiece has been echoed to some extent in this scientific find, even down to the Hobbits' large feet and 'fire' breathing dragons (the Komodos) which lived on the island of Flores. Tolkien would have been lost for words!

[Sulpicia Cresswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book about the discovery of Homo floresiensis by one of the paleoanthropologists who found him. Lots of intrigue about the politics around the discovery and the battle over the bones between scientists.

[David L. Sherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

2004 book. We need a sequel.
The book is easy to read.

[Mark Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very academic. Quite interesting and didn't take long go read

[Tippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't that startling or strange. Most of the book is the author discussing why he believes it's part of the homo lineage and his fights for the credit and rights of the discovery. Yet another reminder for why I try to avoid academia.

[Weavre]

HAZ NON-FIC 2nd & 3rd FLOORS 994.01 M849.n

[Luke Kirkwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summary of the research leading up to, during and post discovery of the Hobbit (Homo floriensis). A testament to Morwood and his team.

[David Haverstick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the actual discovery and science interesting. The politics of the situation bored me. I skimmed through large sections looking for the next chunk to grab me.

[Mills College Library]

569.90959 M892 2009