Reiko T. Kono

Abstract Recent discoveries of Homo floresiensis and H. luzonensis raise questions regarding how extreme body size reduction occurred in some extinct Homo species in insular environments. Previous investigations at Mata Menge, Flores Island, Indonesia, suggested that the early Middle Pleistocene ancestors of H. floresiensis had even smaller jaws and teeth. Here, we report additional hominin fossils from the same deposits at Mata Menge.

With the discovery of Ardipithecus, Orrorin and Sahelanthropus1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, our knowledge of hominid evolution before the emergence of Pliocene species of Australopithecus8, 9 has significantly increased, extending the hominid fossil record back to at least 6 million years (Myr) ago.

Abstract The highly fragmented and distorted skull of the adult skeleton ARA-VP-6/500 includes most of the dentition and preserves substantial parts of the face, vault, and base. Anatomical comparisons and micro–computed tomography–based analysis of this and other remains reveal pre-Australopithecus hominid craniofacial morphology and structure.