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Oldest Painting Found: 67,800-Year-Old Hand Stencil
1 Jun
Summary
- A stencilled hand in Indonesia is the oldest non-figurative painting.
- Artwork is at least 67,800 years old, verified by Guinness World Records.
- Research involved experts from Indonesia and Australia, published in Nature.
A stencilled hand found in the Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been confirmed as the oldest known non-figurative painting globally. This ancient artwork dates back at least 67,800 years, a fact now formally recognized by Guinness World Records.
The discovery is the result of extensive research by Indonesian and Australian archaeologists. Experts from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency and Australia's Griffith University collaborated on the study, which was published in the journal Nature. This finding significantly predates any previously discovered rock art of its kind in the region.
Research into Sulawesi's cave art commenced in 2012, with fieldwork expanding to Muna Island in later years. Despite logistical challenges and difficulties in securing funding, the team successfully developed and applied a new dating method. This meticulous process allowed for the precise age determination of the hand stencil, marking a major milestone in prehistoric art research.
