Professor Maciej Henneberg of the University of Adelaide criticised University of Wollongong archaeology Professor Mike Morwood's theories concerning the tiny 97cm "hobbits", whose remains were discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003.

He claimed instead that they simply suffered from the condition dwarf cretinism. Prof Henneberg also wrote a book entitled The Hobbit Trap: Money, Fame, Science and the Discovery of a New Species, in which he spoke out against Prof Morwood and his team.

"Certainly the implication of his book, beginning with the title, indicates that we were in pursuit of fame and glory and money," Prof Morwood said.

"It contains many factual errors - for instance, the claim that I have made lots of money by lecturing on the hobbit discovery," he added.

The University of Adelaide confirmed there had been an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct by two staff members, and that one person had left the university, while the other had been the subject of disciplinary action.

Although the university would not reveal the identities of staff involved, Prof Henneberg admitted in a national newspaper he had been subject to disciplinary measures.

Prof Morwood said he was aware of the investigation.

"I think it is a very sad saga but I don't know all the details so I can't comment," he said.

He added that he bore no resentment towards any critics.

"We have no problem with people disagreeing with our interpretations, it's in the nature of science," he said.

However, Prof Morwood said there was now a huge range of fresh, specialist evidence which supported his theory.

"It's all beyond my expertise now, there's a level of analysis way beyond that," he said.

He hopes to continue research in northern Australia, where he believes there could be similar findings to Flores.

"The hobbit discovery was from the left-field, totally unexpected, but it's opened up a Pandora's Box of possibilities."