The Flores man’s disappearance may have finally been explained
Numerous questions surround the Flores man in the field of palaeoanthropology, many of which remain unanswered to this day. A recent study, however, offers a new approach that may fundamentally reshape our understanding of the fate of Homo floresiensis.
Homo floresiensis—known to both science and the wider public as the “hobbit”—has fascinated palaeoanthropologists for decades. The remains of this archaic human species, standing at only around one metre tall and exhibiting unusual anatomical features, were first discovered on the island of Flores in the early 2000s.
Since then, several theories have emerged suggesting that the Flores man might even still live among us today—although no convincing evidence has ever been found.
A new multidisciplinary study now significantly refines the long list of mysteries surrounding the Flores man, presenting compelling evidence that climatic and environmental changes may have played a decisive role in the disappearance of the “hobbits”, reports Archaeology News.
Extensive analysis brings new insights
The research team examined a precisely dated stalagmite sample from the Liang Luar cave, located near Liang Bua. By analysing magnesium–calcium ratios and oxygen isotopes within the calcite layers, the researchers were able to reconstruct ancient rainfall levels and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation.
The results paint a dramatic picture: between 76,000 and 61,000 years ago the island’s annual average rainfall dropped by roughly 37%, followed by periods of extremely severe summer droughts.
The Flores man’s main prey fell victim to the drought as well
The decreasing rainfall not only had a devastating impact on human communities but also on key species within the island’s ecosystem. One of the “hobbits’” most important prey animals was Stegodon florensis insularis—a species similar to modern elephants but much smaller.
Isotopic studies show that these animals faced increasingly severe water shortages during this period of declining rainfall, even before they finally disappeared from Flores.
As large herbivores, stegodons depended on a stable and abundant supply of fresh water. Once this condition could no longer be met, their populations dwindled or were forced to migrate—developments that had serious consequences for the Flores man as well.
A volcanic eruption made matters worse
Environmental changes did not end with worsening drought. The researchers also note that around 50,000 years ago, the island was struck by a devastating volcanic eruption, which covered the surrounding region in ash and debris.
The destruction of vegetation, soil erosion and the temporary collapse of habitats may all have contributed to the inability of the small, isolated “hobbit” communities to adapt.
In terms of survival strategies, it is possible that groups of Homo floresiensis attempted to adjust to the changing circumstances: they may have abandoned the Liang Bua cave and moved towards the coast, where water supplies and resources would have been more predictable.
A long process led to the disappearance of the Flores man
According to the new findings, the disappearance of the Flores man cannot be traced back to a single catastrophic event. It was far more likely the result of a chain reaction: habitat changes caused by climate shifts, the loss of key prey animals, and sudden geological disruptions all simultaneously reduced the species’ chances of survival.
Small-bodied, island-dwelling populations are particularly vulnerable to such complex environmental pressures, and it appears that the “hobbits” were ultimately unable to withstand this extraordinary strain.