Emanuel “Wahyu” Saptomo and fellow archaeologist Mike Morwood examine artefacts recovered from the Liang Bua cave on the Indonesian island of Flores where the fossilised remains of a 106cm hominid, later called Homo floresiensis, were found. Photo: National Geographic/Getty Images
Indonesian archaeologist recalls Flores ‘hobbit’ fossil find 15 years on, and what it meant for him and Indonesian archaeology
It was a discovery that amazed scientists – a fossilised relative of humans just 106cm tall. Emanuel Saptomo recalls what happened next: a chase around town buying nail polish remover to use as adhesive, and a decision to forgo air travel for a ferry and bus ride, with an extra ticket for ‘Flo’
Topic |
Archaeology
Emanuel “Wahyu” Saptomo and fellow archaeologist Mike Morwood examine artefacts recovered from the Liang Bua cave on the Indonesian island of Flores where the fossilised remains of a 106cm hominid, later called Homo floresiensis, were found. Photo: National Geographic/Getty Images