Oldest Cave Art Found on Indonesian Island of Muna

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Hand Stencils on Indonesian Island

Researchers from Indonesia and Australia have made a significant discovery on the island of Muna in Sulawesi province, uncovering hand stencils estimated to be up to 67,800 years old. The tan-colored drawings were created by blowing pigment over hands placed against cave walls, resulting in an outline.

The findings were announced on Wednesday, with Indonesian archaeologist Adhi Agus Oktaviana leading the research since 2015. Initially, it was challenging to confirm the hand stencils as human fingers, but further analysis revealed characteristic features such as pointed fingertips.

Maxime Aubert, a specialist in archaeological science at Griffith University, noted that the oldest hand stencil is unique due to its style found only in Sulawesi. The researchers used a technique involving laser zapping and uranium analysis to determine the minimum age of the image, which was found to be around 67,800 years old.

The discovery also sheds light on the region’s rich cultural heritage, with evidence suggesting that the Muna caves were used for rock art multiple times over an extended period. Some of the ancient art dates back as far as 35,000 years, while others were painted over even later.

This finding is significant, as it pushes back the known age of similar hand stencils in the region by more than 15,000 years. The discovery supports theories about early human migration through Sulawesi and highlights the artistic capabilities of ancient cultures.

Source: Al Jazeera