Isabella Flores
The discovery of cave paintings has provided valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of prehistoric humans. While cave paintings were initially believed to have originated in Western Europe, specifically France and Spain, recent findings have expanded our understanding of the geographical origins of cave art. The earliest known figurative cave paintings in Europe are those of the Cave of El Castillo in Spain, dated to at least 40,000 BC. However, older cave paintings have been discovered in other parts of the world, challenging our previous assumptions about the origins of art and human creativity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Indonesia |
| Location | Leang Tedongnge cave, Sulawesi |
| Date | 45,500 years ago |
| Artist | Homo sapiens or Neanderthals |
| Subject | A life-sized picture of a wild pig |
| Discovery | 2017 by Basran Burhan |
| Accessibility | Accessible only during the dry season due to flooding |
| Previous record holder | Spain |
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What You'll Learn
The oldest cave painting found in Indonesia
The earliest known cave paintings were discovered in Indonesia, challenging the previous belief that the first cave art emerged in Europe. The Indonesian Island of Sulawesi is home to hundreds of hidden caves, many of which contain ancient paintings. The earliest of these paintings is a life-sized depiction of a wild pig, found in the Leang Tedongnge cave and dated to be at least 45,500 years old. This discovery was made in 2017 by Basran Burhan, a doctoral student working with a team from Griffith University, Australia, and Indonesian authorities. The cave is located in a remote valley, only accessible during the dry season, and members of the local Bugis community reported that it had never been visited by Westerners before the discovery.
The painting of the pig is not the only ancient artwork discovered in Sulawesi. Another painting, found in the cave of Lubang Jeriji Saléh on the Indonesian island of Borneo, is thought to be over 40,000 years old. This artwork depicts an unknown animal and is the oldest known representational artwork from Borneo. Additionally, hand paintings discovered in the Sumpang Bita cave in South Sulawesi were once considered among the oldest paintings in the world, dated to around 39,000 years ago.
The most recent discovery in Sulawesi is a scene depicting three humanoid figures and a pig, dated to be at least 51,200 years old. This artwork is the oldest known scene created by humans and provides evidence of early storytelling and abstract thought. The elevated location of the cave suggests that it may have been used specifically for artistic or ritual purposes.
The discovery of ancient cave paintings in Indonesia has shed new light on human evolution and migration patterns. These paintings provide the earliest evidence of human settlement in the region and challenge the previous notion that creative expression and abstract thought first emerged in Western Europe. The existence of ancient cave art in Indonesia suggests that early humans migrating to Australia likely passed through the Indonesian islands, known as "Wallacea". Further research and analysis of these cave paintings are expected to reveal more insights into the history and development of human societies in the region.
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Prehistoric cave art in Europe
The earliest known European figurative cave paintings are those of the Cave of El Castillo in Spain, which a 2012 study dated back to at least 40,000 BC using uranium-thorium dating. Prior to this discovery, the oldest figurative cave paintings were believed to be those of the Chauvet Cave in France, dating to earlier than 30,000 BC in the Upper Paleolithic according to radiocarbon dating. However, some researchers question this date, arguing that the drawings are too advanced for this era.
The well-known Magdalenian style of cave art, seen at Lascaux in France (c. 15,000 BC) and Altamira in Spain, died out about 10,000 BC, coinciding with the advent of the Neolithic period. The next phase of surviving European prehistoric painting, the rock art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin, was very different, focusing on large assemblies of smaller and less detailed figures, with at least as many humans as animals. This art was created between 10,000 and 5,500 years ago in rock shelters under cliffs or shallow caves, as opposed to the deep recesses of caves used in earlier, colder periods.
The discovery of Paleolithic cave art in the Cave of Altamira in northern Spain is particularly significant. Altamira, first discovered in 1879, is considered a masterpiece of creative genius and humanity's earliest accomplished art. The cave features paintings of bison and is one of 18 decorated caves on the Cantabrian Corniche, illustrating the flourishing of human art during the Upper Paleolithic period (35,000 - 11,000 BP). This art is linked to the emergence of Homo sapiens and the development of new techniques and artistic expression.
While Europe is home to some of the world's oldest cave art, even older examples have been discovered in other parts of the world, such as Indonesia, where a life-sized picture of a wild pig in the Leang Tedongnge cave on the island of Sulawesi has been dated to at least 45,500 years ago.
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Cave paintings in Africa
The first cave paintings were discovered in Spain, France, and Indonesia. However, Africa is also home to several cave paintings and rock art, with some of the earliest examples of art in the world. Africa has the longest tradition of art on Earth, with the first examples of art on the continent dating from between 100,000 to 60,000 years ago. These early examples of art include personal adornment in the form of perforated seashells suspended on twine, and incised and engraved stone, ochre, and ostrich eggshells.
One of the most well-known sites of rock art in Africa is the Tassili n'Ajjer mountains in southeast Algeria, which was first discovered in 1933. The site has yielded 15,000 engravings and drawings that record animal migrations, climatic shifts, and changes in human inhabitation patterns in the Sahara from 6000 BC to the late classical period. The art includes paintings and engravings that depict the culture of Central North Africans up to 12,000 years ago.
Another notable site of rock art in Africa is the Blombos Cave in South Africa. This site has yielded over 8,500 fragments of ochre, with 15 fragments showing evidence of engraving. Two of these fragments, dated to 77,000 years ago, are considered the most complex and best-formed evidence for early abstract representations and are seen as unequivocal evidence of symbolic thought.
In Botswana, archaeologists have found evidence of people sacrificing carefully made spearheads in front of a large rock panel carved with hundreds of circular holes. This site, known as Rhino Cave, dates back to between 65,000 and 70,000 years ago and is believed to be associated with spiritual beliefs and rituals.
Other sites of rock art in Africa include the Mountain-Tunnel Cave, which contains hand stencils and abundant traces of paint on the walls, and the Sahara, where paintings and carvings of animals that once inhabited the region, such as hippos, rhinos, and elephants, can be found. The Trust for African Rock Art is an organization dedicated to researching, recording, and preserving Africa's rock art heritage.
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The first painted cave acknowledged as Paleolithic
Nearly 350 caves have now been discovered in France and Spain that contain art from prehistoric times. The most well-known examples of cave art have been found in France and Spain, but a few are also known in Portugal, England, Italy, Romania, Germany, Russia, and Indonesia. The total number of known decorated sites is about 400.
The oldest known cave paintings are more than 40,000 years old (art of the Upper Paleolithic) and were found in the caves in the district of Maros (Sulawesi, Indonesia). In 2021, archaeologists discovered a cave painting of a pig in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dated to over 45,500 years ago. The earliest known European figurative cave paintings are those of the Cave of El Castillo in Spain, which a 2012 study dated back to at least 40,000 BC. Prior to this, the oldest figurative cave paintings were believed to be those of the Chauvet Cave in France, dating to earlier than 30,000 BC.
Other notable cave paintings include those found in the Tassili n'Ajjer mountains in southeast Algeria, which include 15,000 engravings and drawings that record animal migrations, climatic shifts, and changes in human inhabitation patterns in the Sahara from 6000 BC to the late classical period. In Australia, scholars are excited about the prospect of analyzing cave paintings in the Kimberley, an area in northwestern Australia reached by modern humans at least 50,000 years ago.
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Examples of cave art in other countries
The first cave paintings were discovered in the Cave of Altamira in Cantabria, Spain in 1879. Since then, nearly 350 caves have been discovered in France and Spain that contain art from prehistoric times. Most cave art consists of paintings made with either red or black pigment. The reds were made with iron oxides (hematite), whereas manganese dioxide and charcoal were used for the blacks.
Indonesia
The Leang Tedongnge cave in Indonesia is believed to contain the oldest known cave painting in the world. Discovered in 2017, it is a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was made at least 45,500 years ago. The caves in the district of Maros in Sulawesi are famous for their handprints and stencils, with some dating back to at least 39,900 years ago.
Algeria
The Tassili n'Ajjer mountains in southeast Algeria are home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 15,000 engravings and drawings that record animal migrations, climatic shifts, and changes in human inhabitation patterns in the Sahara from 6000 BC to the late classical period.
Libya
Other cave paintings can be found at Akakus, Mesak Settafet, and Tadrart in Libya, with similar art also present in the Sahara regions of the Ayr Mountains in Niger and Tibesti in Chad.
Egypt
The Cave of Swimmers and the Cave of Beasts in southwest Egypt, near the border with Libya, contain rock paintings of people swimming that are estimated to be around 10,000 years old.
Argentina
The Cueva de las Manos ("Cave of the Hands") in Argentina contains hand stencils and impressions, as well as depictions of humans, animals, and geometric shapes. The negative hand impressions date back to around 550 BC, while the hunting drawings are calculated to be more than 10,000 years old.
Australia
There are cave paintings in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia, which was reached by modern humans at least 50,000 years ago. Ocher representations of crocodiles and hippos have also been found in the Sahara on sandstone and granite.
Botswana
Rhino Cave in Botswana contains evidence of ancient rituals, with archaeologists finding that 65,000 to 70,000 years ago, people sacrificed carefully made spearheads in front of a large rock panel carved with hundreds of circular holes.
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Frequently asked questions
The first cave painting acknowledged as being Paleolithic was found in Altamira, Spain.
The oldest cave painting discovered is believed to be at least 45,500 years old, although some studies claim that the oldest examples of non-figurative cave art are 64,000 years old.
The oldest cave painting was found in the Leang Tedongnge cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The first cave painting is a life-sized picture of a wild pig.
