Scientists from Australia and Indonesia have uncovered the oldest known example of figurative cave art on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This painting, which depicts a wild pig and three human-like figures, is at least 51,200 years old, predating the previous oldest cave art by over 5,000 years. This discovery provides new insights into the early human capacity for creative thought and storytelling.
Professor Maxime Aubert from Griffith University in Australia emphasized that this finding challenges current understanding of human evolution. He explained that the painting, which shows a pig with its mouth open and three human-like figures interacting with it, indicates that early humans were capable of abstract thinking and storytelling.
The human figures in the painting are depicted in various poses: one with arms extended holding a rod, another near the pig's snout appearing to hold a stick, and a third upside-down figure touching the pig's head. The research team, led by Adhi Agus Oktaviana from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), suggests that narrative storytelling was integral to early human culture in Indonesia.
Oktaviana noted that humans have likely been telling stories for much longer than 51,200 years, but tangible evidence like cave art is crucial for understanding this aspect of human history. The earliest evidence of drawing, consisting of geometric patterns, was found in the Blombos Caves in southern Africa and dates back to between 75,000 and 100,000 years ago. The new painting from Leang Karampuang cave represents an evolution in human thought processes, marking a shift to representational art.
Dr. Henry Gee, a senior editor at Nature, where the study was published, speculated that an important cognitive development occurred around 50,000 years ago, coinciding with the extinction of other human species such as Neanderthals. He suggested that even earlier examples of representational art might exist. Professor Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum in London believes that similar ancient art may yet be discovered in Africa, where modern humans originated.
The new dating method, which uses a laser to extract tiny samples from the art, allowed for more precise dating. This technique could potentially lead to the re-dating of cave art at various sites worldwide, further pushing back the timeline of representational art.
Prior to these discoveries, ancient cave art had primarily been found in Europe, leading some to believe that the creative revolution began there. However, the discovery of hand outlines in South Sulawesi in 2014 and the 40,000-year-old animal painting in Borneo in 2018 have reshaped this view. Professor Adam Brumm from Griffith University highlighted the significance of these Indonesian findings, noting that the oldest cave art depicts recognizable scenes, indicating the early importance of storytelling in art.