Horizon Season 2005 Episode 14 The Mystery of the Human Hobbit

In Horizon season 2005 episode 14, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the mystery of the human hobbit. In 2004, a team of archaeologists uncovered bones of a human species that stood at just over 3 feet tall in a limestone cave on the remote Indonesian island of Flores. This discovery shook the scientific community as it challenged everything we thought we knew about human evolution.

The episode starts by introducing the discovery of the hobbit and the controversy that surrounded it. The bones were initially thought to belong to a child, but as more bones were found, it was concluded that they belonged to a fully-grown adult. The discovery triggered a debate among scientists with some suggesting that these small-bodied humans were a separate species, while others argued that they were simply a group of humans with a medical condition.

The program follows a team of scientists who set out to solve the mystery of the hobbit. The experts provide a detailed analysis of the bones and the tools found alongside them. The program sheds light on how scientists have pieced together the evidence and used it to create a theory for the species' existence. They use compelling evidence, including an examination of the jawbone and the tools found with the bones to support the theory that the hobbit was a separate human species.

The scientists also study the environment in which the hobbit would have lived to understand how they survived as a species. They discovered that the hobbit shared their island home with giant rats, snakes and dragons, adding to the mystery of their existence.

The episode delves into the debate surrounding the discovery and explores the researchers' efforts to prove that the hobbit was a real species. This included recreating the hobbit's skeleton using a 3D printer to see how they would have moved, as well as examining the cave where they were found to determine whether they lived there or if their bodies were brought there after death.

The program also looks at the impact the discovery of the hobbit has had on our understanding of human evolution. With the discovery of a new humanoid species, scientists continue to uncover new insights into our past and the different branches of the human family tree. Horizon season 2005 episode 14 serves as a fascinating exploration of one of the most mind-boggling discoveries in modern science.

Overall, The Mystery of the Human Hobbit is a thought-provoking episode that provides a captivating insight into the science behind the discovery of a new human species. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in human evolution and the mysteries of our past.