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Researchers have dated a hand‑stencil painting in a limestone cave on Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island to at least 67,800 years, making it the oldest known example of rock art. The finding was reported in February 2026 and pushes back the timeline of symbolic expression in Southeast Asia.
Background
Sulawesi, historically known as Celebes, is a large island in the Indonesian archipelago and part of the Greater Sunda Islands. It lies between Borneo to the west and the Maluku Islands to the east and is highly mountainous. The island houses diverse rainforests and several ethnic groups such as the Toraja, Buginese and Makassarese.
Archaeologists have explored caves in the Maros Pangkep region of southwest Sulawesi for decades, documenting rock art dating back at least 40,000 years. Recent fieldwork extended into less‑studied areas in southeastern Sulawesi, including Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island.
Key findings
- Hand stencil dating: Using uranium‑series dating of calcite deposits overlying the hand stencil, scientists established a minimum age of 67,800 years for the artwork. The overlying mineral layer was dated to 71,600 years, providing a firm lower bound for the painting beneath.
- Early symbolic behaviour: The discovery shows that early humans in Wallacea (the region between mainland Asia and Australia) were creating complex imagery far earlier than previously confirmed. It predates comparable cave art in Europe and suggests independent artistic traditions.
- Implications for migration: During the Pleistocene the landmasses of Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania formed a single continent (Sahul). Humans migrating through Sulawesi may have carried symbolic culture on their journey towards Sahul.
About Sulawesi
- It is the world’s 11th‑largest island, covering about 180,680 square kilometres.
- Consists of four peninsulas separated by deep bays and has many active volcanoes. The highest peak is Mount Ratenkombola.
- Home to rich biodiversity with 127 native mammal species, of which over 60 % are endemic.
- Contains several freshwater lakes, including Lake Matano, the deepest in Southeast Asia.
Source: The Times of India
