An international team of archaeologists, in collaboration with Indonesian researchers, has discovered the world’s oldest known cave painting in Leang Karampuang, South Sulawesi.
Estimated to be around 51,200 years old, the artwork is now considered the oldest known piece of figurative art ever found. This discovery challenges the long-held perception that early human art originated solely in Europe.
Leang Karampuang: An Archaeological Gem of Southeast Asia
Leang Karampuang is located in the Maros-Pangkep karst region, an area long known as a "gallery" of prehistoric cave art. This region is home to hundreds of caves adorned with ancient paintings, but the recent discovery marks a turning point in the study of early human creativity.
The painting depicts three half-human, half-animal figures (therianthropes) interacting with a wild pig. This scene is believed to be a form of visual storytelling—making it the oldest narrative artwork ever identified.
According to All That’s Interesting, the painting likely represents an early attempt at storytelling, showing that narrative expression has been embedded in humanity for tens of thousands of years.
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Advanced Technology Unveils Prehistoric Timelines
To determine the age of the painting, researchers used the Laser Ablation Uranium-Series (LA-U-series) method, which allows for precise dating of mineral layers above the pigment. This method is considered far more accurate than conventional radiocarbon dating.
Researchers from Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) confirmed that the painting was created at least 51,200 years ago.
This surpasses the age of previously known figurative artworks in Europe and other Indonesian caves, which were estimated to be between 44,000 and 48,000 years old.
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Early Evidence of Creativity and Spirituality
The depiction of therianthropes in the painting is not merely artistic—it represents early symbolic and spiritual expression.
These hybrid figures are believed to reflect early beliefs in the spiritual world or transcendent beings—a concept that still survives in many Southeast Asian cultures today, according to All That’s Interesting.
The outlet suggests that these therianthropic characters may symbolize early mythological figures, marking the roots of spiritual belief systems.
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Southeast Asia: The Birthplace of Ancient Art
This discovery reinforces Southeast Asia’s, especially Indonesia’s, position as one of the cradles of early human culture and artistic development.
In fact, the painting predates famous artworks found in France’s Chauvet Cave (around 32,000 years old) and Spain’s Altamira Cave (around 36,000 years old), long considered milestones in the history of human art. For too long, the art historical narrative has centered on Europe, but the evidence from Sulawesi disrupts that perspective.
With many more caves in the region yet to be explored, researchers believe that Southeast Asia holds many more secrets about humanity’s distant past. This discovery is a reminder that the region is not just a footnote in world history, but the very epicenter of early human creativity.
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Preserving a Global Heritage
As an invaluable cultural heritage, preserving cave sites like Leang Karampuang is crucial.
Threats such as climate change, pollution, and human activity pose serious risks to the longevity of these paintings.
Strong international collaboration and preservation policies are urgently needed.
An Ancient Legacy That Continues to Inspire
The 51,200-year-old cave painting in Sulawesi is not only the oldest known artwork, but also a powerful symbol of Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage. It reminds us that the roots of creativity and spirituality are far more widespread than previously believed.
The world is now turning its attention to Southeast Asia, recognizing it as a birthplace of art, storytelling, and human imagination. Indonesia, with its extraordinary cultural legacy, proves that the oldest art didn’t emerge from the West—but from the quiet caves at the heart of the archipelago.
