World's oldest known rock art discovered in an Indonesian cave

Researchers report a hand stencil in a Sulawesi cave has been dated to at least 67,800 years ago, making it the oldest directly dated rock art; the find is presented as early evidence of modern humans on islands between Asia and Australia.

Scientists report that a faint hand stencil in a cave on southeast Sulawesi dates to at least 67,800 years ago. The image was found in Liang Metanduno and is described as the oldest directly dated rock art known. Researchers say the painting also represents some of the earliest archaeological evidence for modern humans living on islands between the Asian and Australian continental shelves. The discovery is discussed in the context of how early people moved through Island Southeast Asia on the way to Australia. Key facts: - The hand stencil was dated to a minimum age of 67,800 years by dating calcium carbonate growths that formed on top of the image. - The stencil measures about 14 by 10 centimeters and shows fingers that were purposefully narrowed, a technique reported as characteristic of Sulawesi art. - A darker hand stencil nearby was dated to no older than 32,800 years, indicating the cave was used for art over at least a 35,000-year span. - The authors attribute the artwork to Homo sapiens based on the dates and the technical aspects of the stencil, and they note the find aligns with known presence of modern humans in the region at that time. - The study says the record adds a data point to discussions of migration routes into Australia and notes the possibility that pigment sprayed from the mouth could preserve DNA for future study. Summary: The report places a Sulawesi hand stencil among the oldest directly dated rock art and links it to early modern human presence in Island Southeast Asia. The authors frame the finding as relevant to hypotheses about routes people took toward Australia, and they note potential further analyses such as genetic study of pigment remains.