Studies say 'hobbit' previously unknown species

PARIS (AFP) – The tiny ancient humans dubbed hobbits, whose remains were discovered on an Indonesian island in 2003, were a previously unknown species altogether, according to two new studies.


In some ways it is very human. The big toe is aligned with the others and the joints make it possible to extend the toes as the body's full weight falls on the foot -- attributes not found in great apes.

But in other respects it is startlingly primitive: far longer than its modern human equivalent and equipped with a very small big toe, long and curved lateral toes, and a weight-bearing structure closer to a chimpanzee's.


The entire story here with a drawing!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090507/sc_afp/scienceanthropologyindonesiahobbits




I love this kind of stuff, it makes you wonder about everything