Hobbits in Flores Island

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The beautiful Indonesian island of Flores, the name derived from Portuguese for flowers, holds a secret to a civilization nobody knew existed, until 15 years ago.

In 2003, remains of three-foot-tall humans believed to have existed some 12,000 years ago and nicknamed "hobbits" because of their height were first uncovered in an Indonesian cave.

More than a decade after the discovery, new investigations reveal the "hobbits" (scientific name: Homo floresiensis) may have existed much earlier, about 50,000 years ago.

The cave on the Flores Island. /CGTN Photo

It is believed the findings can shed more light on human evolution and Indonesian pre-history.

Wahyu Saptomo was one of the archeologists who made the startling discovery.

"We were all shocked upon finding it. We compared with other fossils and saw that Homo Floresiensis has a very small head. Their brain volume measures at only 417 cc, very different from modern humans where our brain volume is above 1200 cc. We found a total of 6 to 7 individuals, but only one was found almost whole and intact, at about 90 percent," said Wahyu Saptomo.

The recent discovery has brought about a new understanding of the relationship between modern humans and Homo floresiensis.

It has also elevated the island of Flores into not only an important archeological site, but also the site where a new branch on the tree of human evolution has been spearheaded.

Assignment Asia is CGTN's award-winning current affairs program featuring long-form stories and documentaries on some of the most pressing issues in the region. The show airs Saturdays at 1330 and 2130 GMT, with replays every Sunday at 0630, Monday at 0130, and Tuesday at 0530.