@article {333785, title = {Taphonomic analysis at Liang Bua reveals the behavioral and technological capabilities of Homo floresiensis}, journal = {Science Advances}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, month = {2026/07/03}, abstract = {

Since its discovery,\ Homo floresiensis\—an extinct, short-statured, and small-brained hominin species from Flores, Indonesia\—has often been ascribed unexpectedly advanced behaviors, such as hunting large game and using fire. Here, we report the results of a systematic taphonomic study sampling the proboscidean bone assemblage at Liang Bua where the frequency and locations of predatory marks, along with skeletal part profiles, show that Komodo dragons likely had primary access to these remains leaving behind only low-utility elements for\ H. floresiensis\ to scavenge. Moreover, no signs of intentional use of fire are present in the stratigraphic units associated with\ H. floresiensis. Together, these results suggest that\ H. floresiensis\ was not as behaviorally advanced as originally suggested and provides critical insights into the behavioral repertoire of\ H. floresiensis, raising important questions about its ancestry.

}, isbn = {2375-2548}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7219}, url = {https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7219}, author = {Veatch, E. Grace and Alamsyah, Nico and Pante, Michael and Pelissero, Alex and Negash, Tewabe and Pobiner, Briana and Betts, Chelsea R. and Jatmiko and Sutikna, Thomas and Tocheri, Matthew W.} }