New research published in the journal Science Advances suggests that Homo floresiensis, a prehistoric human relative nicknamed the “hobbit” due to its short stature, may have survived by scavenging leftovers from Komodo dragons rather than hunting large game.

Study Findings

The study, which included a feeding experiment involving a Komodo dragon, found that the markings on Stegodon bones, a type of extinct elephant, were similar to those made by Komodo dragons. This suggests that the hobbits may have been scavenging the leftovers of the dragons rather than hunting the Stegodons themselves.

The researchers also found that the hobbits did not use fire to cook their food, which was a surprise given that other early human species were known to have used fire for cooking. Instead, the hobbits may have eaten their food raw, which would have been a more primitive way of surviving.

Implications

The study’s findings have implications for our understanding of human evolution and the behavior of early human species. It suggests that Homo floresiensis may have been more primitive than previously thought and may have had a more simplistic behavioral repertoire than other early human species.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.