Remains of a species of human were found on the Indonesian island of Flores and have been nicknamed "Hobbits" because of their small size. The species could have shrunk as a result of island dwarfism as it adapted to its environment. Studies have shown that the species could possibly be a dwarf version of an early human species. The hobbits co-existed with our species until around 12,000 years ago.
Researchers have stuggled to struggled to explain the origins of these metre-high, tiny-brained people, known scientifically as Homo floresiensis. The remains were discovered in 2003 but only now theories as to how they have adapted have been put forward.
Some believe that the hobbits were restricted in size because of some sort of a disease, others believe it evolved from an ape like creature from Africa but this research suggest that an early human species underwent dwarfism whilst on the island.
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