Rock Art Reveals the Oldest Evidence of Creative Thinking in Humans: 51,200 Years in the Past on Indonesian Island of Sulawesi

In ancient times, people were able to illustrate stories through rock paintings. A recent discovery in Indonesia has uncovered the oldest evidence of this ability, dating back to 51,200 years ago. The painting depicts a wild boar and three human figures, demonstrating the abstract thinking abilities of early humans. This finding has the potential to change our understanding of human evolution.

Researchers believe that this painting showcases the moment when modern humans first displayed their ability for creative thinking. The painting was discovered on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and is older than any other known cave art, making it over 5,000 years older than previously discovered works. Professor Maxime Aubert from Griffith University in Australia states that this painting is the oldest evidence of storytelling and abstract thinking.

The painting features intricate details and symbolism, suggesting that art and storytelling have been an essential part of human culture for tens of thousands of years. The timing of its creation was determined using a new method involving laser-cutting small samples from different parts of the painting. This method allows for a more precise dating of the artwork based on the layering of limestone in the caves.

This significant finding sheds light on the creative abilities of early humans and shows that art and storytelling have played a crucial role in human culture for millennia. With new methods being developed for dating cave art, more discoveries may be made in the future, potentially changing our understanding of the timeline of human creative expression.