Discovery of the World’s Oldest Cave Art

• Recent research has brought to light an important discovery related to ancient human history, which provides essential evidence for the study of early human civilization, skills, and global migration.
• On Indonesia’s Muna Island, located in Sulawesi Province, researchers discovered a hand stencil image in a cave named Liang Metanduno, which is about 67,800 years old and is currently considered the world’s oldest known cave art.
• This artwork is a stencil of a human hand, created by spraying pigment onto the cave wall.
• Researchers estimated its age using the uranium-thorium dating technique, which determined its minimum age to be 67,800 years.
• Earlier, in 2024, cave paintings found in the Sulawesi region were estimated to be about 51,200 years old, which are approximately 16,000 years younger than this discovery.

Historical and Scientific Significance

• Historical and Scientific Significance: This discovery shows that even in such an early period, humans used symbolic art and cognitive skills, reflecting their mental development and cultural behavior.
• Early Human Migration: The research indicates that early human migration towards East Asia and Australia may have taken place through the Indonesian islands, supporting access to Sahul (the ancient landmass).
• Global Context: This artwork is older than contemporaneous cave paintings found in places such as Europe and Spain, which could lead to significant changes in the established timeline of human history.