In a remarkable claim, anthropologist Gregory Forth suggests that an ancient human species, Homo floresiensis, known colloquially as 'Hobbits,' might still exist on Flores Island, Indonesia.
This theory challenges the widely accepted view that the species became extinct around 50,000 years ago.
About two decades ago, scientists discovered a small but complete skeleton on Flores Island while researching human migration from Asia to Australia.
Named Homo floresiensis, this species was initially thought to have survived until about 12,000 years ago. However, further studies pushed this date back to approximately 50,000 years.
Gregory Forth's Theory
Forth argues that the scientific community has overlooked evidence suggesting the continued existence of Homo floresiensis.
He bases his theory on firsthand accounts from over 30 eyewitnesses who claim to have seen creatures resembling the descriptions of Homo floresiensis. These creatures, as described by locals, bear an "eerie similarity to humans" yet are distinct enough to be considered a different species.
The possibility that Homo floresiensis might still be alive today, or at least survived until very recent times, is a radical departure from current scientific understanding.
Forth's hypothesis posits that these ancient humans could either still be living in the forests of Flores or have only become extinct within the last century.
Eyewitness Accounts and Implications
Forth's research includes accounts of sightings and interactions with creatures that match the description of Homo floresiensis.
The consistency of these accounts and their alignment with known characteristics of the species have led Forth to consider them credible evidence of their possible survival.
Forth's claims have sparked debate in the scientific community, with some experts skeptical of the idea that a human species could remain undiscovered in modern times.
Nevertheless, the hypothesis opens up avenues for further research and exploration on Flores Island, potentially yielding new insights into human evolution and our understanding of ancient human species.
