Learn about Homo floresiensis - or ‘the Hobbit’

Homo floresiensis Photo credit: © National Geographic Society

I've just signed up for a fascinating free online course about 'the Hobbit' -
a 1 meter (3 ft) tall extinct species of hominin discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores.  If you've ever traveled with me on a cruise near the Indonesian islands, you may remember my lecture on the amazing creatures of the Australasian region - including the Hobbits and other early humans.  (Check out my experience with  Komodo dragons).

This is a FutureLearn course - which I can highly recommend!  They are well-researched and well-presented by experts in their field, with lots of multi-media, and they are available free online.

Here's the description for this course on Homo floresiensis, presented by Bert Roberts, Director of the Centre for Archaeological Science at the University of Wollongong, Australia:

 Over the next four weeks we will embark on a quest of discovery and adventure that will take you to the forefront of modern archaeological science methods and research. We will commence our journey in a cave on the Indonesian island of Flores to discover the skeletal remains of Homo floresiensis - or ‘the Hobbit’- as it has come to be known. Each week we will then follow a dedicated team of scientists to uncover clues and answer questions that expose the complexities of human evolution and the significance of archaeology.

    By the end of the course you will have a greater understanding about the discovery and international significance of Homo floresiensis, and the controversy and heated debate over its biological status. You will have examined evidence related to the stratigraphy of archaeological sites, faunal remains and stone artefacts. And you will have explored the role and application of a range of dating methods and approaches used to shed light on the life and times of Homo floresiensis, and our own origins.

        Prepare to embark on an adventure filled with mystery, questions and secrets all waiting to be unearthed throughout this quest…

Tail of the Dragon (True Story!)

Lizards come in all colors, shapes, and sizes – but the biggest lizard of all is truly a Dragon!  Imagine a creature that can bring down water buffalo, deer and wild pig on a regular basis.  You might think I’m kidding – but there is such a creature on a few select islands in Indonesia.  Have you heard of the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)??

I was fortunate enough to visit Komodo Island in March on Holland America’s 2012 World Cruise as a lecturer onboard the ms Amsterdam.  Steamy tropical forests, palms, cockatoos screeching... and real live Dragons!  This would be the ultimate island for a season of Survivor!

Courtesy of Bill & Sandi Solyan

 Komodo Dragons can weigh 300 lbs and reach 10 ft in length.  They are immensely powerful and can kill an animal with one bite!  They have teeth very much like those of a shark – with a knife-sharp serrated-edge meant for tearing, not chewing.  But one bite...!?  “Give me a break,” might be a suitable response.

A Dragon wouldn’t give you a break, but I will.  Dragon saliva is crawling with so many varieties of bacteria that one bite is enough to cause septicaemia and death by blood-poisoning.  It has only recently been discovered that dragons also have venom (see Dr. Bryan Fry www.venomdoc.com), which may help speed the prey’s demise.  Once they take a good bite - causing maximum bleeding and tissue damage - the Dragon typically takes a “jaws-off” approach.  They wait for the animal to collapse from blood loss or infection and move in for the kill.  A Dragon can swallow a whole pig in 20 minutes (see video).  A Dragon can eat up to 80% of its body weight in one sitting!!  A Dragon can sack and destroy an entire medieval village in 1 hour – hey, that’s not true!!  But you get the point.  These giant lizards are a force to contend with.

Courtesy of Bill & Sandi Solyan

Search for the Dragon

After our arrival at Komodo National Park, we were given a brief overview of the route for our 1 hour trek.  Our group of approximately 20 people was accompanied by a ranger and his assistant, both armed with sticks approx. 6 ft long with forked ends.  We soon learned that the sticks are helpful when faced with an overly-eager Dragon.  The first Dragon was asleep on the trail... he was only about 7 or 8 ft long.  We were asked to go around him so as not to disturb his nap.  Ordinarily I don’t like to hike off-trail, but something in my genetic makeup kept urging me to let a sleeping dragon lie.  

Our next Dragon was about 10 ft long and built like a reptilian 300 lb bulldog.  His two foot long forked tongue flicked the air to get a good sniff of us well-fed cruise ship passengers.  His friends did the same and we found ourselves in the midst of a small pack of Dragons... five in fact.  Lucky for us they were all busy digesting a previous meal of pig or deer and thought we looked too agile and alert.  A previous group had a bit of excitement when a dragon rushed toward them for a closer look.  One ranger actually grabbed the Dragon by the tail to stop it!  And see what I mean about those forked sticks!

 Courtesy of Barbara Heywood-Chasey

Photo: George Sranko

Turns out the big ten footers aren’t the most dangerous; the 7-8 footers are the real hunters because they are lithe and quick on their feet.  (Dragons under 5-6 feet long hang out in the trees because mom and dad don’t mind snacking on youngsters when they can catch one.)  Dragons can smell blood up to 5 miles away... consequently the big ones just hang around until they catch a whiff of blood and guts and mosey on over to take over the situation.  Of course, offal isn't too awful -- it's mighty nice when it can be discovered!!