Overview

An extraordinarily small hominin from the island of Flores, Indonesia, standing approximately 1 meter tall with a brain of only ~426 cc. Despite the tiny brain, associated stone tools are relatively sophisticated. Likely the result of island dwarfism, possibly derived from Homo erectus or an earlier, smaller-bodied Homo ancestor. The combination of small brain size with apparently complex tool behavior challenges assumptions about the relationship between brain size and cognitive ability.

Key Fossils

LB1 (partial skeleton), LB6, additional individuals

Brain Anatomy

Endocast-Based Estimates

Brain region sizes are estimated from endocasts (internal skull casts), not direct brain observation. These are approximations with inherent uncertainty.
Frontal
151 cc
Temporal
92 cc
Cerebellar
38 cc
RegionFunctional Implicationsvs. Modern Human
Frontal Relatively large frontal despite small absolute size; may explain tool-making ability Much smaller absolutely but reorganized for complex behavior
Temporal Expanded temporal lobes relative to brain size; social cognition Reorganized rather than simply scaled down
Cerebellar Relatively large cerebellum for brain size Proportionally larger than expected

Tools & Technology

Associated Tool Traditions

Oldowan

2.6 MYA – 1.7 MYA

Simple core-and-flake tools made by direct hard-hammer percussion. Includes choppers, scrapers, and sharp flakes used for cutting meat and processing plant foods.

Diet & Food Sources

Hunted small elephants (Stegodon), giant rats, and other island fauna

Food SourceTypeEvidenceConfidence
Tubers and roots (C3)TuberCut marksModerate

Social Behavior

Stegodon hunting Probable

Cooperative hunting — Liang Bua

Dwarf elephant hunting inferred at Liang Bua.

Evidence: Associated fauna and tools

Art & Symbolic Behavior

Liang Bua ochre (limited) Possible

60 KYA — Liang Bua

Limited ochre in Liang Bua assemblages (site reports).

Phylogenetic Relationships

Related SpeciesRelationshipConfidenceNotes
Homo erectus Proposed ancestor Moderate H. floresiensis likely derived from H. erectus via island dwarfism on Flores

Key Specimens

SpecimenNameSiteYearAge (MYA)CompletenessSignificance
LB1 Hobbit / Flo Liang Bua 2003 0.06 60.00% Holotype of H. floresiensis

Explore all specimens and measurements →

Life History

Estimated Lifespan~30 years
Age at Maturity~12.0 years
Weaning Age~3.0 years
Interbirth Interval~4.5 years
Gestation~8.0 months
Dental DevelopmentLB1 adult small stature; growth peculiarities
Brain GrowthSmall brain; island dwarfing
Growth ComparisonInsular growth effects
ConfidenceEstimated from fossils

Pathology & Healthcare Evidence

Nutritional stress — LB1

Liang Bua — 60 KYA

Affected: Skeleton LB1

Pleistocene island resource stress; LB1 pathology and growth literature (debated).

Survival: Adult

Comparative Anatomy

Encephalization Quotient3.10
Intermembral Index88.0
LocomotionObligate biped
Foramen MagnumAnterior
Precision GripDeveloped
Pelvic ShapeIntermediate
RobusticityGracile
Big ToeFully adducted
ThoraxIntermediate

H. floresiensis: small brain; LB1 postcrania “hominin-like” biped.

Compare anatomy across species →

Isotope Analyses

SystemValueMaterialSiteDate (MYA)Interpretation
delta C13 -14.00 Bone collagen Liang Bua 0.060 Flores: island resource δ13C (faunal/hominin comparative frameworks).

Explore all isotope and climate data →

Dating Evidence

MethodDate (MYA)UncertaintyMaterialSite / Specimen
Ar Ar 0.0600 ± 0.0100 Jaramillo ash near Liang Bua Liang Bua / LB1

Fossil Occurrences

The Paleobiology Database records 8 fossil occurrence(s) attributed to Homo floresiensis. View on map →

Identified AsLocationFormationAge (MYA)
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis ID – 0.13 – 0.01
cf. Homo floresiensis ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01
Homo floresiensis n. gen. n. sp. ID – 0.13 – 0.01

Data from the Paleobiology Database (CC-BY).

Scientific References

  1. Falk D, Hildebolt C, Smith K, et al. (2005). "The brain of LB1, Homo floresiensis". Science 308:242-245. DOI:10.1126/science.1109727 (230 citations)
  2. Brown P, Sutikna T, Morwood MJ, et al. (2004). "A new small-bodied hominin from the Late Pleistocene of Flores, Indonesia". Nature 431:1055-1061. DOI:10.1038/nature02999 (698 citations)