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NOVA scienceNOW: Little People of Flores
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Program Overview
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Some
scientists think Homo floresiensis may be a new human species that
measured three feet tall, had a brain one-third the size of modern human's, and
lived as recently as 18,000 years ago.
This NOVA scienceNOW segment:
reports on the discovery of a meter-tall adult skeleton found by a team
of Australian archeologists in Liang Bua cave on Flores Island, Indonesia. notes that the skeleton is the smallest human species ever
identified—a dramatic difference from other hominids. looks at competing views of whether the skeleton represents a new human
species or a modern human with stunted growth. theorizes how Homo erectus, the precursor to modern humans,
might have reached Flores Island via land bridges exposed during recent ice
ages. discusses why being small is an advantage on an island where food
resources are scarce. states that Homo floresiensis may have existed as recently as
18,000 years ago, and that Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens
(modern humans) may have co-existed on Flores Island for 30,000 years.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program is taped off the air.
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