New “Hobbit” Human Bones Add to Evidence, Oddity
Brian Handwerk
for National Geographic News
October 12, 2008
The “hobbits” are real. That’s the conclusion of scientists who announce the discovery of the remains of more of the tiny prehistoric humans nicknamed for the diminutive stars of the Lord of the Rings saga. (See pictures of the hobbit humans.)
The newfound humans—formally known as Homo floresiensis—were first discovered in October 2004 on the Indonesian island of Flores. (See “Hobbit-Like Human Ancestor Found in Asia.”) Ever since, scientists have debated whether the “hobbits” in fact constitute a new human species.
Not the first time that fictions influence names in science. Take “quarks” for instance.
after all planets are named from mythological figures (and I am pretty sure someone will name a planet after a “star wars” fictional name)
wasnt he trying to say they’re only called hobbits because thats what they are called in the films/books. Otherwise they’ed just be little people or something.
And let’s not forget the name of the first Space Shuttle (Enterprise). Then the fiction-creators turned that back around, by showing that Enterprise in the opening sequence of the Star Trek: Enterprise TV show.
So scientists found something they are calling Hobbits. I bet they won’t find Elves. They’re either still alive, or left for those faraway shores…
And that goes for Elvis, too. Or maybe he “just went home,” like they said in Men In Black.
Are you sure John? I’d have bet a month salary on “Columbia” for the first Space Shuttle’s name (I still remember watching the first landing on TV, the whole family was like ).
If you read the article, you’d see that scientists believe this may be Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, or one of their descendants. This is because archeologists uncovered a gold ring, believed to be the ring Bilbo took back from Golum, at the site.
Definitely Enterprise, then Columbia (which later disintegrated on reentry), then Challenger (the one that blew up just after launching). The US has had ships called “Enterprise” for a long time, so although there is an obvious association between the Enterprise (shuttle) and the Enterprise (star ship) the name USS Enterprise has a long history in real life.
As for the hobbit bones - until they find evidence of hairy feet and bad poetry, I’m sceptical.
The Enterprise shuttle was the first one to fly, but never flew under rocket power. It was used for atmospheric testing, doing many flights and landings off the back of their piggyback 747. Since the shuttle “glides” like a brick, a lot of testing was necessary before sending it into orbit.
I believe it was Gene Roddenberry who was invited to the official rollout of the shuttle Enterprise, but not sure. The name was specifically inspired by the Star Trek series. Watching Star Trek: Enterprise will show that they also pay homage to the HMS Enterprize (Great Britain) and the famous WWII aircraft carrier (US).
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