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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:
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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.
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notes that the skeleton is the smallest human species ever
identified—a dramatic difference from other hominids.
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looks at competing views of whether the skeleton represents a
new human species or a modern human with stunted growth.
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theorizes how Homo erectus, the precursor to modern
humans, might have reached Flores Island via land bridges
exposed during recent ice ages.
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discusses why being small is an advantage on an island where
food resources are scarce.
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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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