Sayart.net - World′s Oldest Artwork Discovered in Indonesian Cave

▲ Painting of a wild pig in the Leang Tedongnge cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi ⓒ Adhi Agus Oktaviana

The oldest known example of figurative rock art has been identified in a cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Using advanced dating methods, researchers have determined that the artwork, which depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig, is over 51,200 years old—approximately 5,000 years older than previously known examples.

"Our results are very surprising: none of the famous European Ice Age art is anywhere near as old as this, with the exception of some controversial finds in Spain," said Indonesian rock art specialist Adhi Agus Oktaviana in a news release. "Humans have probably been telling stories for much longer than 51,200 years, but as words do not fossilize, we can only go by indirect proxies like depictions of scenes in art—and the Sulawesi art is now the oldest such evidence by far that is known to archaeology." 

▲ Found in the cave Leang Karampuang on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the scene shows three human figures and a pig ⓒ Griffith University

The drawings inside the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang in South Sulawesi feature part-human figures, known as "therianthropes," hunting warty pigs and dwarf buffalo. One figure has its arms open wide, while another points a stick towards a pig’s neck.

The researchers employed a sophisticated new method known as "laser ablation uranium-series" (LA-U-series), which analyzes tiny layers of calcium carbonate that formed on top of the art. These tests concluded that the images are at least 51,200 years old, making them the earliest known example of a manmade visual narrative.

The research team was led by Oktaviana of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Jakarta. The LA-U-series analysis was completed with support from experts in archaeological science from Griffith University and Southern Cross University in Australia. Their methods and findings are detailed in a paper published by Nature. 

▲ Found in the cave Leang Karampuang on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the scene shows three human figures and a pig ⓒ Dominic Julian/BRIN Google Arts

"The innovative technique we've pioneered enables us to create detailed 'maps' of calcium carbonate layers," said Professor Joannes-Boyau of Southern Cross University. "This capability empowers us to pinpoint and steer clear of regions affected by natural diagenesis processes, which stem from intricate growth histories. Consequently, our age determinations for rock art become more robust and dependable."

Boars appeared to be a popular subject for early inhabitants of Sulawesi. The oldest known piece of figurative cave art prior to this latest discovery was a 45,000-year-old depiction of wild pigs painted in red ochre pigment in the Leang Tedongnge cave on the same island. It was also discovered by a team led by Oktaviana.

While non-representational carved patterns from more than 75,000 years ago have been found in southern Africa, and a 73,000-year-old fragment of rock bearing nine red strokes has been discovered among other artifacts in the region, the Sulawesi art remains the oldest known example of visual storytelling.

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com