A recent study has identified the world’s oldest known rock art, dating back approximately 67,800 years, found in a cave on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. This significant discovery provides new insights into the migration patterns of early humans, suggesting that this region may have played a crucial role in the movement of populations from Asia to Australia. The findings were published in the journal Nature.
The artwork, a stencil resembling a human hand, was discovered in the Liang Metanduno cave. This faint outline is believed to be a remnant of a population linked to the earliest migrations into Australia. According to Maxime Aubert, a researcher at the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, the discovery confirms that Sulawesi housed one of the world’s oldest artistic cultures. Aubert noted, “It is now evident from our new phase of research that Sulawesi was home to one of the world’s richest and most longstanding artistic cultures.”
The significance of Sulawesi extends beyond its artistic heritage. The island is considered a potential stepping stone for Homo sapiens migrating from Asia toward Sahul, the ancient landmass that once connected Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania. The study presents compelling evidence that the people who created these artworks likely contributed to the ancestral lineage of modern Aboriginal Australians.
Exploration of Sulawesi and its surrounding islands led researchers to a series of ancient rock art pieces, including stencils of human hands. The oldest stencil from Liang Metanduno was modified to resemble a claw, adding a unique aspect to the artwork. Using techniques such as uranium-series dating and mineral deposit analysis, the team established that this stencil is older than any previously recorded rock art in the region.
Study author Adhi Agus Oktaviana, from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency, explained, “It is very likely that the people who made these paintings in Sulawesi were part of the broader population that would later spread through the region and ultimately reach Australia.” He emphasized that these findings support the theory that the ancestors of the First Australians were present in Sahul by around 65,000 years ago.
Prior research suggested two main timelines for the arrival of modern humans in Sahul: the “long chronology” around 65,000 years ago and the “short chronology” around 50,000 years ago. Two primary migration routes were also proposed: one through Sulawesi and another via Timor, leading to different parts of the ancient landmass. The current study reveals younger paintings in Liang Metanduno, indicating a long period of human occupation lasting at least 35,000 years.
Renaud Joannes-Boyau, from the Geoarchaeology and Archaeometry Research Group at Southern Cross University, stated, “With the dating of this extremely ancient rock art in Sulawesi, we now have the oldest direct evidence for the presence of modern humans along this northern migration corridor into Sahul.”
Looking ahead, researchers aim to continue their exploration of human migration and art in the region, focusing on sites along the northern route to Sahul. Aubert highlighted the archaeological significance of other Indonesian islands, suggesting that further investigations could provide additional insights into early human history.
This groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the artistic expressions of our ancient ancestors but also enhances our understanding of how early human populations migrated and settled in new territories.
