The oldest known figurative rock art has been found in a cave on Sulawesi, Indonesia. These images, featuring three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig, have been re-dated with advanced techniques to be over 51,200 years old, which is 5,000 years older than the previous record-holder.
Adhi Agus Oktaviana, an Indonesian rock art specialist, shared his surprise at the findings. “None of the famous European Ice Age art is anywhere near as old as this,” he said. “Humans have likely been telling stories for much longer, but since words don’t fossilize, we rely on art—and this Sulawesi art is the oldest known evidence.”
The art, found in the Leang Karampuang cave, shows part-human figures, or “therianthropes,” hunting warty pigs and dwarf buffalo. One figure has arms wide open while another points a stick at the pig’s neck.
Researchers used a method called “laser ablation uranium-series” (LA-U-series) to date the art. This technique analyzes tiny layers of calcium carbonate on the drawings, determining them to be at least 51,200 years old. This makes them the earliest known visual narrative.
The research team, led by Oktaviana from the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in Jakarta, collaborated with experts from Griffith University and South Cross University in Australia. Their findings were published in Nature.
Professor Joannes-Boyau of South Cross University explained that their new technique allows for detailed mapping of calcium carbonate layers, avoiding areas affected by natural processes and making their age estimates more reliable.
Interestingly, boars seemed to be a favorite subject for early Sulawesi inhabitants. The previous oldest figurative art, a 45,000-year-old depiction of wild pigs, was also found on the island by Oktaviana’s team.
In southern Africa, non-representational patterns from over 75,000 years ago and a 73,000-year-old fragment with red strokes have been discovered, alongside tools and seashell beads, showing evidence of early human settlement.
