

601: No Such Thing As Sausage By Chanel
26 snips Sep 18, 2025
Join paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi as she dives into the fascinating world of human evolution. She unpacks the discovery of the 'hobbits'—Homo floresiensis—and what island dwarfism means for our understanding of extinction. The conversation takes a turn toward the influence of mundane sci-fi on innovation and language, alongside quirky tales of mummification disasters. Learn why wasps shift their diets and discover surprising ecological roles they play. It's a blend of science and fun that you won't want to miss!
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The Flores 'Hobbit' Discovery
- Ella describes Homo floresiensis as tiny humans about 1.1m tall living alongside miniature elephants and giant predators on Flores island.
- She recalls the discovery as a bombshell that provoked shouting matches at anthropology conferences.
Island Dwarfism Explains Size Shifts
- Island dwarfism makes large species shrink when resources are scarce while small species grow when predators are absent.
- This process explains unusual island faunas, including the small size of Homo floresiensis.
Hobbit Trademark Clash
- Discovery publicity led to Tolkien estate objecting to the 'hobbit' nickname and issuing legal pressure on scientists using the term.
- Ella describes later having to be cautious using 'hobbit' for marketing due to trademark issues.