[has2k1]

Just because there is a continuum does not mean specific points along the continuum cannot be identified and tagged as distinct from all other points. There are humans and there are dolphins two different species. It is analogous to the colour spectrum, there is red and there is blue two different colours.

[specialist]

Absolutely. The Smithsonian has an amazing display of skulls arranged in a grid which shows the subtle changes over time. It's amazing. (Sorry, quick search doesn't reveal a pic.)

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I'd love a layperson's identification guide.

Why is a homo floresiensis (aka "hobbit") not just a small person? Surely there are people alive today that could mistaken for "hobbits".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis#Anatomy

Maybe a visual diff tool.

I did just found some charts showing the evolution of select skulls. Hmmm. I guess I want more.