A recent study has revealed that the oldest known rock art, dating back over 67,000 years, was discovered on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This ancient stencil, depicting a human hand, offers significant insights into early human migrations, particularly those that may have led to the first settlement of Australia. The research, published in the journal Nature, establishes this artwork as the oldest reliably dated rock art, predating earlier findings in the region by approximately 16,600 years.
The findings indicate that the cave art, located in the Liang Metanduno cave, is a testament to a rich and enduring artistic culture that has existed on Sulawesi since the earliest human occupation of the island. According to study author Maxime Aubert from the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research at Griffith University, “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; it is also believed to have functioned as a crucial stepping stone for early human populations migrating from Asia to the paleocontinent Sahul, which once connected Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania. This connection is vital for understanding the movement of Homo sapiens as they spread across the region.
Research teams focused on identifying various forms of ancient rock art throughout Sulawesi and surrounding islands. This included multiple stencils of human hands, among which the oldest was found in the Liang Metanduno cave on the island of Muna. The team utilized advanced techniques such as uranium-series dating and mineral deposit analysis to determine that the claw-like stencil was crafted approximately 67,800 years ago.
According to study co-author Adhi Agus Oktaviana from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency, “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.” This discovery supports the hypothesis that the ancestors of the First Australians arrived in Sahul by around 65,000 years ago.
The research also contributes to an ongoing debate about the timeline of human arrival in Sahul. Previously, scholars proposed two main timelines: the “long chronology,” suggesting arrival around 65,000 years ago, and the “short chronology,” indicating a timeline closer to 50,000 years ago. The study authors assert that the presence of younger rock art in Liang Metanduno hints at a long period of human occupation that could span over 35,000 years.
Renaud Joannes-Boyau, another co-author 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.”
As the team looks ahead, they aim to continue exploring other sites along the northern migration route into Sahul. “These discoveries underscore the archaeological importance of the many other Indonesian islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea,” Aubert noted, underscoring the potential for further significant findings in understanding early human history and migration patterns.
This groundbreaking research not only enhances our understanding of ancient human migrations but also highlights the cultural significance of artistic expression in our early ancestors’ lives. As investigations continue, the rich history of Sulawesi promises to reveal more about the journey of humanity across the globe.