World’s ‘oldest’ rock art discovered in Indonesia
Sulawesi, the world’s eleventh largest island, continues to reveal secrets about our distant past. Following the 2024 discovery of what was then the oldest known dated cave painting – a depiction of a wild pig in Maros Pangkep, South Sulawesi, estimated to be 51,200 years old – a newly analyzed painting on Muna Island may push that date back significantly.
A New Contender for Oldest Art
Researchers now believe a hand stencil found in Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, located approximately 300 kilometers from the 2024 find, could be at least 67,800 years old. The painting is one of many rock art sites discovered on Muna and neighboring Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi.
The Discovery Process
Archaeologist Adhi Agus Oktaviana, from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has been exploring Muna Island since 2015, specifically searching for hand stencils. He eventually located several, including the Metanduno stencil, which was partially obscured by more recent artwork. “The discussion with my mentor was quite lengthy. We didn’t agree whether these marks were hand stencils,” Adhi said. “But I finally found some spots that looked like human fingers.”
A Unique Artistic Technique
What sets the Metanduno stencil apart is a distinctive feature: the tip of one finger appears intentionally narrowed. Archaeologist Maxime Aubert of Griffith University, who co-led the study, noted, “As far as I know, it’s the only place in the world where there’s rock art like that. So we’re not sure how they do it.” Researchers speculate this modification may have been an attempt to make the hand resemble the claw of an animal.
Dating the Art
To determine the age of the painting, Adhi Agus Oktaviana carefully collected a small sample of the rock surface. Uranium series analysis, conducted by Aubert and Renaud Joannes-Boyau from Southern Cross University, focused on mineral deposits layered over the ochre-based pigment to establish a minimum age. “When you’re dealing with such a period so far back in time, even having a minimum age is very, very important for us,” explained archaeologist Adam Brumm, also of Griffith University.
Questions Remain About the Artists
While the dating method has been praised, some debate exists regarding the identity of the artists. Human evolution researcher Dino Mozardien questioned whether the technique used to create the stencil definitively points to Homo sapiens, noting similar methods were employed by Neanderthals. He also raised concerns about interpreting the narrowed fingertip given the faded state of the pigment. Mozardien suggested the possibility that Denisovans, another archaic human group, may have created the art.
Implications for Understanding Human Migration
Regardless of which hominin species created the art, the findings contribute to our understanding of early human cognitive abilities and migration patterns. Aubert stated the paintings demonstrate the mental capacity of early modern human species. Brumm added that the discovery provides further evidence supporting the theory that early humans migrated to Australia through the Sahul paleo continent via Sulawesi. Adhi Agus Oktaviana concluded, “It also shows that our ancestors were not only great sailors, but also artists.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the hand stencil found on Muna Island?
Researchers believe the hand stencil found at Liang Metanduno cave is at least 67,800 years old.
What makes the Muna Island rock art unique?
The hand stencil at Liang Metanduno cave features a uniquely narrowed fingertip, a characteristic not observed in rock art anywhere else in the world.
What methods were used to date the rock art?
Researchers used uranium series analysis on mineral deposits layered over the ochre pigment to determine a minimum age for the painting.
As research continues in Sulawesi and surrounding islands, what further insights might be gained into the lives and capabilities of our earliest ancestors?