The Mystery of Homo Floresiensis: Unveiling the Ancient Life of Liang Bua, Flores Island

By: Yosefa Maria Dilva

Biology Education Student, Sanata Darma University, Yogyakarta

The Flores dwarf man or Homo Floresiensis found in Liang Bua, Manggarai, Flores Island, has become the focus of a mystery involving traces of ancient life.

The discovery of Homo Floresiensis fossils opens the door to a new understanding of human evolution.

Research conducted by Th. Verhoeven since 1965, which was later
continued by the National Archaeological Research Center (Puslit Arkenas) in 1978–1989 and again in 2001 until now at the Liang Bua site, providing significant information regarding human occupation in prehistoric times.

The data obtained through this research depicts traces of life during this period
then chronologically, showing the phases of prehistoric settlement which provide deep insight into human history.

An expedition was carried out in 1965 in Liang Bua, Manggarai district, which resulted in the discovery of human skulls and bones to a depth of 4 meters.

Research concluded that the skull came from the Proto-Negrito race, namely members of modern humans or homo sapiens.

Further research in 2003 by the National Archaeological Center (ARKERNAS)
together with foreign universities strengthened these findings.

The human skull and skeleton found showed the physical characteristics of a dwarf body, with a height of 106 centimeters and a brain capacity equivalent to a chimpanzee, of 417 cubic centimeters.

This can be seen from the fossils found in the form of ancient human skulls which have a very tiny shape.

The use of these fossil remains provides an in-depth understanding of the evolution and distribution of ancient human life on the island of Flores.

The ancient human type Homo floresiensis is also known as the Hobbit in Liang Bua
living in the Liang Bua cave are humans who support Neolithic culture with a dwarf body size.

The ancient human skeleton from Flores was discovered by Pastor Theodorus Verhoeven in 1958 while carrying out a Christianization mission (zending mission). It is estimated that he lived around 30,000-18,000 years ago.

They live together with local fauna, including elephants and giant Komodo lizards. The discovery of Homo floresiensis human bones by archaeologists is important evidence in our understanding of the existence of dwarf humans in the Liang Bua area.

Apart from finding ancient human skeletons, tools or artifacts were found
around the area of ​​the Flores ancient human skeleton discovery site.

Artifacts found include arrowheads, square axes, oval axes, jewelry and pottery. Although there are still many mysteries,
the life patterns of Homo floresiensis can be estimated from archaeological evidence, they
possibly living as hunter-gatherers on Flores Island.

Research is continuing to understand what Homo floresiensis is
a separate species or possibly the smallest variety of Homo erectus.

Some experts argue that small body size may be the result of an evolutionary phenomenon in which organisms living on small islands experience a reduction in body size over a long period of time due to influencing factors, namely the environment and natural selection that are unique to the island.

The life patterns of Homo Floresiensis provide insight into the way they interacted with the environment and depended on each other in small social groups, adding
our understanding of human evolution.

The discovery of Homo Floresiensis presented a major challenge for scientists who
It takes such a long time, it is too difficult to be explained briefly and simply in understanding the origins and evolution of humans.

Further analysis of the fossils
this has involved a variety of scientific disciplines, including paleontology, anthropology, and genetics.

This discovery is important and helps in describing the life of Homo
floresiensis, provides deep insight into the adaptability and survival of this species in the Flores Island environment during the Pleistocene period.

The results highlight the complexity of human evolution and variations in adaptation to different geographic environments.

Through analysis of these fossils, researchers can piece together a more complete narrative about the history of human evolution in this region.

This discovery not only opens the door to a better understanding of Homo Floresiensis but also provides
global understanding of human diversity and the role of adaptation in the course of human evolution.

2023-12-14 14:32:20
#Traces #Homo #Floresiensis #Human #Life #Liang #Bua #VoxNtt.com