Is LB1 diseased or modern? A review of the proposed pathologies

• Type specimen of H. floresiensis (LB1) was compared with various pathologies.
• Proposed pathologies are for a large part based on methodological errors.
• LB1 was not afflicted with microcephaly, Laron syndrome or cretinism.
• LB1 belonged to a new species.

The fossil remains of Homo floresiensis have been debated extensively over the past few years. This paper gives a review of the various pathologies ascribed to LB1, the type specimen of H. floresiensis, and associated individuals. This paper will assess the arguments for growth anomalies, microcephaly, Laron syndrome and cretinism. Additionally, some of the analyses done by proponents of the pathology theory will be methodologically evaluated. Subsequently, a brief overview of the alternative hypotheses regarding the origin of H. floresiensis will be given.