Oldest Known Rock Art Identified in Indonesian Cave

Researchers have identified a hand stencil in Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, as the oldest known example of rock art. This finding adds to the understanding of early human activity in the region and provides new insights into prehistoric artistic traditions.

The team used uranium-series analysis to examine calcium carbonate deposits, also known as ‘cave popcorn,’ that formed over the pigment of the hand stencil. This method allowed the researchers to establish a minimum age of 67,800 years for the artwork, making it the earliest dated rock art currently known.

One of the hand stencils in the cave displays narrowed, claw-like fingers, a stylistic feature that is distinct to Sulawesi’s rock art heritage. This characteristic sets it apart from other prehistoric hand stencils found elsewhere and highlights unique local artistic practices.

The research was conducted by a group of Indonesian and Australian archaeologists, including Maxime Aubert from Griffith University and Adhi Agus Oktaviana from BRIN. Their findings were published in the journal Nature, contributing to ongoing studies of ancient human culture in Southeast Asia.

What the numbers show

• The Liang Metanduno hand stencil is at least 67,800 years old
• Other nearby hand stencils are dated between 60,900 and 44,500 years ago
• Narrative cave paintings in Leang Karampuang are about 51,200 years old

Additional hand stencils in caves near Liang Metanduno have been dated to periods ranging from approximately 60,900 to 44,500 years ago. These findings indicate that the region has a long-standing tradition of rock art spanning thousands of years.

Earlier discoveries in Sulawesi include narrative cave paintings from Leang Karampuang, which have been dated to around 51,200 years ago. These paintings depict figures with human-like features interacting with a pig, providing further evidence of complex artistic expression during that era.

The recent discovery supports the hypothesis that early modern humans were present in Sulawesi and may have used the island as part of a migration route toward Sahul, the ancient landmass that included present-day Australia and New Guinea. This aligns with broader research into human dispersal across Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The combination of advanced dating techniques and ongoing archaeological work in Sulawesi continues to reveal new information about the origins and spread of early human populations and their cultural practices.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.