Revolutionizing the Study of Early Art: The Discovery of the Oldest Known Evidence of Storytelling through Art in Sulawesi, Indonesia

In a groundbreaking discovery made by our team, in partnership with researchers at Griffith University in Australia, we have uncovered what may be the oldest known evidence of storytelling through art. This remarkable finding was made in a limestone cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Inside the cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi, we found a painting that depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig. This ancient artwork has a minimum age of 51,200 years and is considered the oldest message recorded in the world.

Our team of scientists, co-led by researchers from Griffith University and Southern Cross University, have utilized new technology to revolutionize our understanding of the origin of early art. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature, showcasing the significance of this ancient artwork.

The discovery of this cave painting on Sulawesi sheds light on the evolution of human creativity and storytelling, with the painting being much older than other famous historical sites such as the Pyramids at Giza. Through a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, panoramic images of the caves have been captured, allowing people from around the world to access these sites and contribute to preservation efforts.