Ancient Art: Cave Paintings From The Past

Cave paintings are a type of parietal art, often created by Homo sapiens, but also Denisovans and Neanderthals. They are found on the walls and ceilings of caves and are usually of prehistoric origin. The oldest known cave paintings are more than 40,000 years old and were discovered in the caves of Sulawesi's Maros district in Indonesia. These paintings were created using hand stencils and simple geometric shapes. More recently, cave art of a pig found in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and dated to over 45,500 years ago, has been reported. Other ancient cave paintings include those found in France, Spain, Portugal, England, Italy, Romania, Germany, and Russia, Australia, India, South Africa, and North America. These paintings offer valuable insights into the beliefs, culture, and spiritual practices of our ancient ancestors.

The oldest cave paintings are 40,000-73,000 years old

The discovery of prehistoric art has provided a window into the world of our ancestors. Cave paintings, in particular, have offered valuable insights into how ancient humans thought and perceived the world around them.

The oldest cave paintings in the world are believed to be between 40,000 and 73,000 years old. The earliest known cave paintings were not created in caves but on rock faces. The oldest cave painting discovered is a red hand stencil found in the Maltravieso cave in Cáceres, Spain, which dates back at least 40,800 years. This makes it Europe's oldest known cave art.

In Indonesia, the caves in Sulawesi's Maros district are renowned for their thousands of handprints, which are at least 39,900 years old. These handprints, along with a babirusa painting dated to at least 35,000 years ago, are among the oldest figurative representations discovered worldwide. The discovery of prehistoric art in Indonesia significantly expanded our understanding of the geographical origins of the world's first cave artists, who were long believed to have emerged in prehistoric Europe.

The cave paintings in France's Lascaux cave, discovered in 1940, are also quite ancient, dating back around 17,000 years. These paintings feature easily recognizable animals, such as horses, bulls, and deer. Additionally, Neanderthal cave paintings in the Andalusian cave of Ardales in Spain have been dated to between 43,000 and 65,000 years ago, providing insights into the artistic expressions of our ancient ancestors.

The age of these cave paintings highlights the long history of human creativity and our ongoing fascination with expressing ourselves through art.

They were made by Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans

Cave paintings are a type of parietal art, often found on the walls or ceilings of caves. These paintings are usually associated with prehistoric origins and were created by Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans. The oldest known cave paintings are more than 40,000 years old and are found in the caves of the Maros district in Sulawesi, Indonesia. These ancient artworks provide valuable insights into the abstract thoughts, creativity, spirituality, and sentimental thinking of our prehistoric ancestors.

Homo sapiens, or modern humans, have been associated with symbolic behaviour and the use of art for at least 80,000 years. Their arrival at the Denisova Cave in Siberia brought new tools, decorative items, and artistic expressions, indicating symbolic thinking. The rock art created by Homo sapiens often depicted large animal figures and humans in natural shelters or caves. One notable example is the Magdalenian style found at Lascaux in France, dating back to approximately 15,000 BC.

Neanderthals, an extinct relative species, have also contributed to the creation of cave paintings. Evidence from Spain, such as the La Pasiega cave, demonstrates their complex symbolic thought and artistic abilities. Neanderthal cave art has been dated to over 64,000 years ago, pre-dating the arrival of Homo sapiens in western Europe by at least 20,000 years. Their paintings often featured hand stencils and animal depictions, with some sites showing repeated modifications over thousands of years.

Denisovans, known for their delicate bone needles and tools, also inhabited the Denisova Cave in Siberia alongside Neanderthals and early modern humans. Their presence is evidenced by genetic material and artifacts, including beads made from ostrich eggshells and pendants with intricate patterns. While specific dates for their cave paintings are not widely mentioned, the Denisova Cave preserves ancient DNA and provides insights into the interactions and shared spaces of these ancient human species.

Paintings were found in Indonesia, France, and Spain

The earliest cave paintings are thought to be more than 40,000 years old, with some estimates placing them at 73,000 years old. These ancient artworks are found all over the world, from Spain and France to Indonesia and Australia.

In Indonesia, the island of Sulawesi is renowned for its ancient cave paintings, with thousands of handprints adorning the walls of caves in the Maros district. These hand stencils, alongside depictions of animals, are thought to be at least 39,900 years old. The discovery of these paintings challenged the previously held belief that the creative explosion leading to modern art and science originated in Europe. In 2021, cave art of a pig found in Sulawesi was dated to over 45,500 years ago. Even older Indonesian cave art was discovered in 2018 on the island of Borneo, with an estimated age of over 40,000 years. More recently, in 2022, cave paintings portraying pig hunting within the Maros-Pangkep karst region in Sulawesi were discovered to be even older, with an estimated age of at least 51,200 years.

In France, the well-known Magdalenian style of cave paintings, found at Lascaux, dates back to around 15,000 BC. The Chauvet Cave in France contains artworks that have been dated to around 35,000 to 30,000 years ago. These paintings are notable for their aesthetic beauty and high quality, leading some researchers to question their age.

In Spain, the Cave of Altamira in Cantabria contains paintings that were once considered hoaxes when they were discovered in 1879. These paintings, along with others found at sites like El Castillo, have since been authenticated and are now believed to be some of the oldest in the world. The oldest known cave painting is a red hand stencil found in the Maltravieso cave in Cáceres, Spain, which has been dated to over 64,000 years ago.

They are often of hand stencils and animals

The first cave paintings are believed to be more than 40,000 years old, with some estimates placing them at 64,000 years old. These ancient artworks are a fascinating glimpse into the past and have been discovered all over the world, from Europe to Asia and even South America.

Cave paintings often feature hand stencils and animal depictions, with some of the earliest examples being simple hand stencils and geometric shapes. One of the oldest known hand stencils was discovered in a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, dated to be at least 39,900 years old. This hand stencil sits alongside a drawing of a pig-deer, challenging our understanding of the birth of art. These paintings are almost as old as the earliest known European cave art, suggesting that art may have emerged independently in different regions.

The creation of hand stencils typically involved placing a hand against the wall and covering the surrounding area in pigment, resulting in a negative image of the hand. Alternatively, artists would blow pigment around their hand to create the stencil. Hand stencils are found in caves across the world and throughout history, with later examples featuring decorations like dots, dashes, and patterns.

Animal depictions are also prevalent in cave paintings, with large animals being a common subject. In Sulawesi, for example, paintings of babirusas (pig-deers) and warty pigs are found alongside hand stencils. These animals may have been significant in the belief systems of the people who created them. Other examples of animal cave art include depictions of Indian lions and gaurs in India, and roosters and dogs in Sulawesi.

The discovery of these ancient hand stencils and animal paintings provides valuable insight into the artistic expression and cultural heritage of our ancient ancestors. They challenge our understanding of the evolution of art and suggest that it may have emerged earlier than previously thought, before humans migrated out of Africa.

The art may have served a spiritual purpose

The earliest cave paintings are believed to be over 40,000 years old, with some estimates placing them at 45,500 years old or even 64,000 years old. These ancient artworks, often featuring hand stencils and simple geometric shapes, have been discovered in various parts of the world, including Indonesia, France, Spain, India, and Australia.

Some researchers have interpreted the paintings as 'utilitarian' hunting magic, believing that creating artwork of certain animals would increase their abundance and make hunting them easier. This interpretation suggests that the paintings were a way for ancient humans to exert control over their environment and ensure their survival.

Another theory, proposed by David Lewis-Williams, suggests that the paintings were created by Paleolithic shamans. According to this idea, shamans would enter a trance state in the darkness of the caves and then paint images of their visions, possibly believing that they were drawing power from the cave walls themselves. This theory highlights the potential spiritual and ritualistic aspects of cave art.

The subject matter of the paintings also suggests a spiritual purpose. Large animals, such as lions, bison, and horses, are commonly depicted, indicating a potential reverence for these creatures. The absence of commonly hunted prey, such as reindeer, in favour of more formidable animals like horses and bulls, further supports the idea that these paintings held spiritual or symbolic significance.

Additionally, the very act of creating art may have held spiritual meaning for prehistoric humans. The process of painting or engraving could have been a way to connect with the supernatural, seek blessings, or pay homage to the natural world. The creation of art may have been a sacred act in and of itself.

Furthermore, the locations of the cave paintings could also point towards a spiritual purpose. Many of the paintings are found in remote and secluded caves, indicating that these spaces held special significance for ancient societies. The act of venturing into these caves and creating art may have been a ritualistic or spiritual journey, with the caves serving as sacred spaces.

Frequently asked questions