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The world's oldest cave paintings in Indonesia under threat of wildfires

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Briefings

Researchers from Griffith University dated a cave painting in Indonesia's Maros-Pangkep to at least 51,200 years old, placing it among the world's oldest known cave art. This discovery highlights the region's rich prehistoric heritage, though the specific artistic style and the full extent of the site's history remain unexplored.

Key points

• A cave painting in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, depicting human-like figures with a pig was dated by Griffith University researchers to at least 51,200 years old.
• The artwork is located in the Maros-Pangkep cave system, representing a significant milestone in the study of ancient Indonesian prehistory.

Context

This discovery is significant for understanding the timeline of human artistic expression in Southeast Asia, potentially extending known dates for cave art in the region.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single dated artwork; the full scope of the cave system's history, the number of other paintings, and the specific artistic techniques used are not covered.

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