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submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

Twenty years ago on an Indonesian island, scientists discovered fossils of an early human species that stood at about 3 1/2 feet (1.07 meters) tall — earning them the nickname “hobbits.”

Now a new study suggests ancestors of the hobbits were even slightly shorter.

“We did not expect that we would find smaller individuals from such an old site,” study co-author Yousuke Kaifu of the University of Tokyo said in an email.

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[-] dohpaz42@lemmy.world 21 points 2 months ago
[-] Varyk@sh.itjust.works 16 points 2 months ago

tldr

"Further analysis of a tiny arm bone fragment and teeth suggests the ancestors were a mere 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) shorter and existed 700,000 years ago."

[-] TexasDrunk@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

Get out of here with your science, don't nobody believe that. They were a foot and a half tall and had magical powers.

Seriously though, thank you for the summary of the important info. It's much appreciated.

[-] Varyk@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

High fives

〜⁠(⁠꒪⁠꒳⁠꒪⁠)⁠〜

[-] Grimy@lemmy.world 16 points 2 months ago

700 000 years is still in viable dna territory. We could bring them back.

[-] gedaliyah@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago

I'm sure I won't be hearing conspiracy theories about this for the next 60-80 years

[-] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Most people have Neanderthal dna, I'm sure my family has these ancestors, given how many people make short jokes.

I'm the national average I swear! Everyone is just a giant!

this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2024
171 points (98.9% liked)

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