# Is Homo floresiensis a distinct species, or are the Liang Bua remains pathological modern humans? · Homo floresiensis, the origin of the Flores "hobbits" > Three answers have been proposed. H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. leads, with evidence 4 for: supported by its tests. Two are still… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:39+00:00 --- **0** # Is Homo floresiensis a distinct species, or are the Liang Bua remains pathological modern humans? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Answered: H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species.** Passed its tests and review. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. leads, with evidence 4 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters The question that dominated the first decade. It is now largely answered, but it must be recorded with its tests because it still recurs⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM9RY6QRZ/pygmoid-australomelanesian-homo-sapiens-skeletal-remains)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNMA0R76V6/evolved-developmental-homeostasis-disturbed-in-lb1-from)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNMA8J5YJT/a-critical-evaluation-of-the-down-syndrome-diagnosis-for-lb1). ## Answers 3 [**H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/answers/ANS0CZNMNFY5DJ3/h-floresiensis-is-a-distinct-hominin-species) Supported by its tests Evidence: 4 for Most likely [**LB1 was a modern human with microcephaly, Down syndrome or another disorder, from a small-bodied modern…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/answers/ANS0CZNMPQ050SN/lb1-was-a-modern-human-with-microcephaly-down-syndrome-or) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for, 2 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/answers/ANS0CZNMQP83DKH/none-of-these) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed ## History 1. 2004[Brown et al. puts forward: h. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM6KC00PP/a-new-small-bodied-hominin-from-the-late-pleistocene-of) 1. 2005[Falk et al.: lB1's endocast does not match microcephalic humans.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM9H472AK/the-brain-of-lb1-homo-floresiensis)Against: LB1 was a modern human with microcephaly, Down syndrome or another disorder, from a small-bodied modern… 1. 2006[Jacob et al. puts forward: lB1 was a modern human with microcephaly, Down syndrome or another disorder, from a small-bodied modern…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM9RY6QRZ/pygmoid-australomelanesian-homo-sapiens-skeletal-remains) 1. 2013[Baab et al.: 3D cranial shape groups LB1 with fossil Homo, not with microcephalic or other pathological humans.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNMAGC2CMR/homo-floresiensis-contextualized-a-geometric-morphometric)For: H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. 1. 2014[Henneberg et al.: lB1's asymmetry and features were read as signs of Down syndrome.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNMA0R76V6/evolved-developmental-homeostasis-disturbed-in-lb1-from)For: LB1 was a modern human with microcephaly, Down syndrome or another disorder, from a small-bodied modern… 1. 2016[Sutikna et al.: liang Bua skeletal remains date to 100,000-60,000 years, before modern humans on Flores.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM730024W/revised-stratigraphy-and-chronology-for-homo-floresiensis-at)For: H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. 1. 2016[van den Bergh et al.: hominins of the same small size lived at Mata Menge 700,000 years ago.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM7TE5DJF/homo-floresiensis-like-fossils-from-the-early-middle)For: H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. 1. 2016[Baab et al.: down syndrome traits are absent or not diagnostic.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNMA8J5YJT/a-critical-evaluation-of-the-down-syndrome-diagnosis-for-lb1)For: H. floresiensis is a distinct hominin species. 1. 2016[Sutikna et al.: dates of 100,000-60,000 years for the remains.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZNM730024W/revised-stratigraphy-and-chronology-for-homo-floresiensis-at)Against: LB1 was a modern human with microcephaly, Down syndrome or another disorder, from a small-bodied modern… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJ2J1C0W/is-homo-floresiensis-a-distinct-species-or-are-the-liang-bua%23add-source) Where it fits Homo floresiensis, the origin of the Flores "hobbits" **Is Homo floresiensis a distinct species, or are the Liang Bua remains pathological modern humans?** Key question · you're here [Why did Homo floresiensis disappear from Liang Bua about 60,000-50,000 years ago?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/homo-floresiensis/questions/QST0CZNMJAC4D6J/why-did-homo-floresiensis-disappear-from-liang-bua-about-60)Most likely · progressive drying of the landscape, a collapse of Stegodon and competition for water and prey drove the… [ Ask a question under this one ]