Final answer:
Homo floresiensis, also known as 'the Hobbit,' was a small-statured human species that lived on Flores Island in Indonesia between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago. Discovered in 2003, they used fire and tools, and were possibly related to Homo habilis or Homo erectus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo floresiensis, often referred to as "the Hobbit" or "Flores Man," was an extinct species of archaic humans that populated Flores Island in Indonesia. These individuals were remarkably small in stature, with adults standing approximately 3 feet 7 inches tall. Discovered in 2003 in Liang Bua Cave, evidence suggests that they were skilled in using fire for cooking and making tools. Homo floresiensis is estimated to have lived between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, making them one of the last surviving human species before the definitive rise of modern humans.
It has been theorized that H. floresiensis might be a sister species to Homo habilis, or possibly descendants of H. erectus who adapted to the island environment after being stranded. The presence of another similar sized species, Homo luzonensis, in nearby Philippines, suggests a more complex picture of the genus Homo during this time. Interestingly, despite their small brain size, there is no evidence to suggest that H. floresiensis were less intelligent than other human species.