Oldest Art Found: Indonesian Cave Holds 67,800-Year-Old Hand

A hand stencil discovered in a cave in Indonesia's Sulawesi is potentially the world's oldest rock art, with an age of at least 67,800 years. This remarkable find, made using ochre pigment, significantly pushes back the timeline for human artistic expression and complex behavior.

The ancient artwork, likely created by early Homo sapiens, offers insights into early human migration patterns. The findings suggest these early humans were part of a population that journeyed into Sahul, a lost continent encompassing modern-day Australia and parts of Indonesia.

This discovery challenges previously held beliefs about when humans first reached Sahul and their cognitive abilities. The dating of the art involved analyzing mineral crusts, known as cave popcorn, that formed over the paintings, providing a minimum age for the stencil.

The hand stencil's age surpasses that of other significant prehistoric art, including European cave paintings. It also provides evidence for early human presence in Wallacea, a region of islands, approximately 70,000 years ago, supporting a northern route model for settlement.

Archaeologists are excited by the implications of this find, suggesting a deeper, older cultural tradition in the region. The art indicates that early humans engaged in planned, long-distance sea crossings, marking significant achievements in human history.