One of the biggest mysteries regarding Homo Floresiensis is how they became extinct. It’s been suggested that a volcanic eruption may have ended the species, as well as other theories regarding climatic changes. Reconstructing the ancient environment of West Flores where Liang Bua is located is necessary for determining how and why they died out. A study published in 2007 did just that by looking at speleothem, structures formed by the deposition of minerals in water typically found in caves (such as stalagmites or stalactites), found in locations on West Flores islands. These studies concluded that “rainfall increased sharply at either 17–16.5 ka or 13 ka, with the former system of interglacial atmospheric circulation being fully restored by ca. 13 ka” (Westaway et al. 2007).
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Stegodon, a pygmy species, ended at about the same time as H. floresiensis at around 12 ka, suggesting their extinctions are closely related. It is concluded in the study that the most likely cause of their extinction is a volcanic eruption at around 12 ka, though further analysis of stalagmites in other areas of the island of Flores will help determine whether their extinction is primarily due to climate changes, the introduction of modern humans (H. sapiens) to the island, a volcanic eruption, or a combination of the three.
Pictured: A recreation of H. floresiensis |