A stencilled outline of a hand found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, dated to at least 67,800 years ago, is now recognized as the world’s oldest known cave painting, challenging previous notions about the origins of human creativity. This discovery, reported in the journal Nature, suggests that symbolic art and abstract thinking emerged much earlier and were more widespread than the Eurocentric ‘creative explosion’ theory proposed.
The painting was discovered in Liang Metanduno cave on Muna, a small island off southeastern Sulawesi. Researchers used uranium-series dating on mineral crusts overlying the art to establish its minimum age of 67,800 years, surpassing the previous record held by a controversial hand stencil in Spain dated to 66,700 years ago. The technique involved an ancient artist pressing a hand against the cave wall and blowing or spitting red pigment around it, creating a negative outline. Notably, the fingertips were intentionally altered to appear more claw-like, indicating a deliberate creative transformation beyond simple stencilling.
This find is part of a series of discoveries in Sulawesi that have progressively pushed back the timeline for sophisticated image-making. Earlier findings included hand stencils and animal figures from at least 40,000 years ago, a hunting scene dated to 44,000 years, and a narrative pig and human painting from 51,200 years ago. The latest stencil, however, extends this record by nearly 28,000 years, reinforcing Indonesia’s role as a key region for understanding early human artistic expression.
The implications extend beyond art history to human migration. Sulawesi lies on the northern sea route between mainland Asia and the ancient landmass of Sahul, which included Australia and New Guinea. The presence of Homo sapiens creating complex symbolic art on Sulawesi 67,800 years ago supports archaeological evidence suggesting humans reached northern Australia by around 65,000 years ago, earlier than some mainstream estimates of 50,000 years. This aligns with the idea that the populations who made these paintings were part of broader groups that eventually spread through the region.
Professor Adam Brumm of Griffith University, who co-led the research, emphasized that this discovery undermines the long-held view of a European ‘big bang’ for human creativity. Instead, it points to an innate capacity for symbolism that dates back to Africa, where our species evolved. Evidence from South African sites like Blombos Cave, with engravings and beads from 70,000-100,000 years ago, supports this deeper timeline. The Sulawesi art thus contributes to a growing consensus that creativity was a gradual, widespread development.
Independent experts, such as paleoanthropologist Genevieve von Petzinger, have welcomed the find, noting it fits with broader patterns in prehistoric art. The intentional modification of the hand stencil to create a claw-like motif is seen as a significant leap in symbolic imagination, akin to early forms of storytelling or identity expression. This contrasts with Neanderthal art in Spain, which lacks such experimental elements, highlighting unique aspects of Homo sapiens’ cognitive abilities.
The discovery also highlights the richness of Indonesia’s archaeological record, with hundreds of new rock art sites being uncovered in remote areas. Caves like Liang Metanduno show repeated use over tens of thousands of years, with younger paintings dating to about 20,000 years ago, indicating a long-standing cultural tradition. Researchers believe more art awaits discovery on nearby islands, potentially offering even older examples and further insights into the spread of artistic practices.
In summary, this ancient hand stencil not only rewrites the timeline for human creativity but also reshapes our understanding of early human migration and cultural development in Southeast Asia and beyond. It underscores the deep roots of symbolic thought in our species, challenging Eurocentric narratives and opening new avenues for exploration in the quest to comprehend our evolutionary past.
