The researchers explain con their journal article that the Homo erectus fossils washed upriver of Ngandong as the environment changed from woodlands puro per rainforest. They state that “the fossils are part of verso mass death event,” and Dr. Ciochon named the possible cause of the extinction, as he told Ancient Origins:

“Homo erectus was an incredibly long-lived species with verso massive geographic distribution which makes it one of the most successful hominins that ever lived. Our research indicates that Homo erectus likely went extinct due sicuro climate change . Homo erectus was found with per collection of animal fossils that lived in an open woodland environment similar preciso the environment mediante Africa where it evolved. The environment at Ngandong changed, and the open woodland was replaced by verso rainforest. Niente affatto Homo erectus fossils are found after the environment changed, so Homo erectus likely was unable onesto adapt preciso this new rainforest environment.”

The researchers' Nature article mentions that Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis populations were living on outlying islands, close onesto the time Homo erectus was alive

Study co-author Dr. Westaway concurred on the impact the environment may have had on the extinction of the Homo erectus population. She also provided Ancient Origins with information on what's next con the team's research:

“Now that we finally have verso convincing timeline for the Ngandong site and for the last appearance of Homo erectus we can via puro explore the potential cause/s of extinction. The new timeline for the Homo erectus last known appearance certainly occurs at a pivotal period of environmental and climatic change during the last interglacial (per warm phase

120,000 years spillo) - when rainforest corridors enticing rainforest fauna extended down through per connected Southeast Levante (due onesto the lowered sea level) at this time. The encroaching warmer and more humid environment would have caused widespread vegetational changes and caused problems for the essentially open woodland popolazione associated with Ngandong. We suspected that the Ngandong population would have been wiped out at the cusp of the last interglacial at the start of this environmental change, but the new timeline suggests that the drier conditions mediante Scapolo River valley containing the site of Ngandong probably persevered for longer than expected, this supported a relic Ngandong population as a refugia mediante a slightly drier and more open environment afforded by its higher and per-land location. But by 117-108,ooo years spillo this refugia could no longer be supported by the prevailing climatic and environmental changes and the Ngandong erectus and its associated animali disappeared from the fossil primato. As much of the fauna died within per very close timeframe it's likely that the already stressed population was tipped over the edge by some large event - at present we have in nessun caso proof of what that event was - this is a next distretto of research.”

Exposed bone bed con Facies A and C mediante Pit G09 from 2010 excavations at Ngandong. (Copyright Russell L. Ciochon)

Westaway expressed her excitement esatto face that challenge, telling Ancient Origins, “The cause of extinction is the next big step - this may be an even greater challenge than the timing!”

Homo erectus' Possible Neighbors

Since the relationship between these three ancient hominin species is often questioned, Ancient Origins asked the co-authors of the current study puro weigh-in on the debate.

Dr. Ciochon provides the following insight, “Based on the current evidence, there is enough morphological variation for H. luzonensis and H. floresiensis puro be classified as separate species from H. erectus, but they are likely insular dwarfs of H. erectus. More fossil evidence and research is need puro help clarify the relationships between H. luzonensis, H. floresiensis, and H. erectus.”