Searching for roots
There are two possible explanations for what happened next. Either Homo erectus evolved into modern humans separately all over the world - the multiregional theory - or local populations across the globe were each replaced by a wave of modern humans who left Africa.
Because LB1's species died out and were eventually replaced by us, the discovery of LB1 is good evidence that the second theory is correct. Evolution expert Robert Foley of the University of Cambridge has called the discovery 'the final nail in the coffin' of the multiregional theory.
| 
Homo erectus (left) and Homo floresiensis (right). LB1 is much smaller than her early ancestors.
Image: Peter Brown |
|
