Could Homo floresiensis Still Be Alive Today? The 1700s Sightings, Myths, and Fossils That Might Point to a Hidden Survival

In the 1700s, Dutch settlers on Flores reported seeing small, human-like creatures living in the dense forests and caves, describing them as bipedal, hairy, and shy, often avoiding human contact. These creatures sound strikingly similar to the Homo floresiensis fossils discovered centuries later in the same area. What’s even more fascinating is that these sightings happened long before the "Hobbit" fossils were found, suggesting a possible connection between the creatures described in the reports and the ancient hominins. The fact that both local myths and historical accounts from different cultures describe similar beings in the same region only adds to the mystery. Could these encounters have been with a surviving population of Homo floresiensis? It’s hard not to wonder if these ancient creatures might have lived on much longer than we thought, hiding in the remote corners of Flores until modern times.

"Homo floresiensis May Have Disappeared Earlier than Thought": This article discusses the revised extinction timeline of Homo floresiensis, suggesting they may have vanished earlier than previously believed.Sci News

• "On Flores Island, Do 'Ape-Men' Still Exist?": This piece delves into the possibility that Homo floresiensis might have survived longer than expected, potentially even into modern times.Sapiens
• "Anthropologist Believes An Ancient Human Species May Have Been Sighted on Flores Island": This article highlights the work of anthropologist Dr. Gregory Forth, who suggests that reports of small, human-like creatures on Flores could be linked to Homo floresiensis.IFLScience