| Abstract: |
The controversy surrounding LB1 is placed within historical context. We review and expand upon research published elsewhere (Falk et al. 2007), which was based on a comparison of brain shape determined from virtual endocasts of 9 microcephalic and 10 normal humans, after controlling for brain volume. Objections that have been raised about this study are addressed, and we reiterate the conclusion that LB1 was not a microcephalic. Despite LB1's small brain size, numerous derived features are reproduced on its virtual endocast, and these appear to be consistent with cognitive abilities that would have facilitated the hunting, use of fire, and tool production that have been attributed to <i>Home floresiensis</i>. As has been the case with other discoveries (Stent, 1972), the discovery of this new species may be controversial because its morphology, location, and dates violate current scientific paradigms.
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