Recent research has uncovered the oldest known rock art, dating back over 67,000 years, in a cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This discovery offers new insights into the early migrations of Homo sapiens and suggests that Sulawesi played a pivotal role in the movement of our ancient ancestors toward Australia.
The rock art, a faint stencil resembling a human hand, was found in the Liang Metanduno cave. According to a study published in the journal Nature, this stencil predates previous rock art discoveries in the region by approximately 16,600 years. Study author Maxime Aubert, affiliated with the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research at Griffith University, stated, “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.”
Significance of Sulawesi in Human History
Sulawesi has long been recognized for its rich artistic heritage, housing some of the earliest cave art, including depictions of human and animal figures. Previous research, also published in Nature, analyzed paintings believed to represent hunting scenes, further solidifying the island’s historical importance. The latest findings indicate that Sulawesi may have served as a crucial stepping stone for early human migration from Asia to Sahul, the ancient landmass that connected Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania.
Employing several scientific techniques, including uranium-series dating and mineral deposit analysis, researchers determined that the claw-like stencil was created around 67,800 years ago. This finding links the artwork to an artist likely associated with the ancestors of the Aboriginal Australians. Study co-author Adhi Agus Oktaviana from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency remarked, “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.”
Insights into Early Human Migration Patterns
Previous studies have proposed two timelines for the arrival of Homo sapiens in Sahul: the “long chronology” of around 65,000 years ago and the “short chronology” around 50,000 years ago. These studies also suggested two primary migration routes: a northern route through Sulawesi and a southern route through Timor, leading to the New Guinean and Australian sections of Sahul.
The Liang Metanduno cave also contains more recent paintings, indicating a sustained human presence in the area for at least 35,000 years. According to Renaud Joannes-Boyau, a researcher at Southern Cross University, “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, the research team aims to continue exploring human art and migration patterns, focusing on other sites along the northern route into Sahul. Aubert emphasized the archaeological significance of the many Indonesian islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea, suggesting there are numerous targets for future investigation.
The findings not only enhance our understanding of ancient human art but also contribute significantly to the broader narrative of human migration and settlement in the region. As researchers delve deeper into these ancient sites, they may uncover further evidence that reshapes our understanding of the early history of humanity.
