Palu (VOA) —
The National Innovation Research Agency (BRIN) said the skeletal remains of a previously unknown small ancient human (homini) were excavated by a joint team of Indonesian and Australian archaeologists from Liang Bua, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
BRIN announced the find during the 20th anniversary of the discovery of Homo Floresiensis at the Liang Bua site, which was held recently.
The small hominini was discovered approximately six meters below the cave floor, its skeletal remains showing a very primitive morphology, along with a large number of stone artifacts and the remains of Pleistocene fauna, such as the extinct ancient pygmy elephant (Stegodon florensis insularis), Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), endemic giant storks (Leptoptilos robustus), vultures (Trigonoceps sp.), and giant rats (Papagomys sp.).
The Pleistocene is an era on the geological time scale that lasted between 2,588,000 and 11,500 years ago.
In 2004, this ancient human specimen was published as a new species, called Homo floresiensis and given the nickname “Hobbit”.
This ancient human species lived and disappeared from Liang Bua around 100,000 to 60,000 years ago, followed by several volcanic eruptions around 50,000 years ago. This eruption also marks the period when modern humans first appeared, around 46,000 years ago, who then continue to use the cave to this day.
Photo of the excavation of an ancient human fossil known as ‘The Hobbit’ in Liang Bua, Flores, 2016. (Photo: Liang Bua Team via Reuters)
One of the archaeologists who discovered the Homo Floresiensis fossil, Thomas Sutikna, said that 20 years after the discovery there was still a lot of homework to be done, such as uncovering ancient DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or ancient DNA to obtain genetic data on ancient humans.
“Because if we have DNA, it’s clear we won’t have any difficulty finding out about genetics. So, we no longer have to debate who this is, where this goes on the evolutionary tree. “So we hope that in the future, we can extract it,” said Thomas Sutikna at an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the discovery of Homo Floresiensis in the Sains Raden Panji Soejono area, Jakarta, last week.
Thomas explained that Homo Floresiensis had the characteristics of early ancient humans, such as a fairly small brain volume, only around 400 cc, and a height of only around 110 centimeters.
“Similarly, the studies we have recently carried out, on the wrists and ankles, do show characteristics that are quite different from modern humans, and also different from Homo erectus. “So far we have placed Homo floresiensis in its own species,” explained Thomas.
Another homework assignment is to reveal how climate phenomena in the past enabled the ancient human Homo Floresiensis to survive longer than other ancient humans.
“The meaning is this, what is the actual situation, how come we also find ancient humans there, able to survive until they are so young. Sixty thousand years for ancient humans is enough to make us confused, how could they survive. “Meanwhile, there were no longer any in Sangiran 100-200 thousand years ago,” said Thomas.
Another question that needs to be answered, according to Thomas, is to reveal how Homo Floresiensis migrated to arrive on Flores.
An archaeological team excavating fossils at the Liang Bua site, Flores, NTT, 2016. (Photo: Liang Bua Team/Reuters)
Research at Liang Bua is not yet complete
Wahyu Saptomo from the Association of Indonesian Archaeologists (IAAI), who is also one of the discoverers of the Homo Floresiensis fossil, said that research at Liang Bua has not been completed so it still needs to be continued, emphasizing environmental research and cave formations.
“And I think the use of modern technology is very helpful in uncovering the mystery of Liang Bua so that more information can be obtained. We also need additional sites as comparison sites. “Maybe it could be around West Manggarai or on the north side,” said Wahyo Saptomo.
Liang Bua natural cave is located in the limestone hills in the Manggarai Regency, Flores at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. The site is considered ideal for prehistoric settlement.
Having a length of around 50 meters, a width of around 40 meters and an inner roof height of 25 meters, physically the Liang Bua cave is very attractive as a cave residence. This is supported by air circulation and sunlight which shines into the cave throughout the year. The location of the cave is also close to the river which is currently around 200 meters from the Liang Bua cave.
The Liang Bua site is also said to be in an area called an ecotone, which is a combination of different environments between mountainous and lowland environments, so that it is very possible for various living creatures, especially animals and plants in higher areas, to also live well mixed with various species. plants and animals from lowland environments. (yl/em)