“Flores Man” are considered the extinct hobbit species in the Homo genus. In September 2003 remains of an individual that would have stood about 1.1m were found in Flores, Indonesia. The dominant consensus is that the recovered partial skeletons of 9 unique specimens represent a species distinct from modern humans due to the genetic and anatomical differences.

The most notable identifying features of H. floresiensis are its small body and cranial capacity, but also unique are the form of the teeth and the absence of a chin. Dental studies indicate a Homo erectus origin for the Homo floresiensis. The small stature has been theorised by Brown et al. to have evolved via insular dwarfism. The selective pressures acting on Flores populations seemingly resulted in this form of speciation in other species on the island such as in several species of the proboscidean genus Stegodon, an elephant-like creature. The tropical rainforests, as a calorically impoverished environment, serve to advantage those smaller individuals with lower caloric requirements.

Despite their puny brains, half that of their ancestor H. erectus, the size of Brodmann’s area 10, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, is about the same size as that of modern humans. Region 10 of the brain is associated with higher cognition and Flores man caves indicate advanced behaviours such as the use of fires for cooking, and marks cut into Stegodon bones.

The current skeleton material of H. floresiensis is dated from 60,000 to 100,000 years ago, while stone tools range from 50,000 to 190,000 years old.