Discovery of a 51,000-Year-Old Ancient Painting in Indonesia
Did you know, guys, that the oldest painting in the world was found in Leang Karampuang, Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and it’s estimated to be 51,200 years old loh!
History
Paintings have many different functions—they can show situations, feelings, and purposes. Some were made for spiritual reasons, some for communication, some just for expression, and banyak lagi. Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest animal painting inside a cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The artwork was found in Leang Tedongnge Cave, located in a remote hilly area of South Sulawesi.In many parts of the world, simple images like handprints, lines, and animal figures are known as the earliest signs of humans telling stories and expressing themselves. But this new discovery from Indonesia really changes the way the world understands the origins of art, you know!
Recent research revealed a 51,000-year-old figurative painting in Leang Karampuang Cave, South Sulawesi. The painting shows a narrative scene — a small group of humans hunting a wild pig. The clear shapes of the figures and the way they interact with each other make it one of the oldest visual storytelling examples in human history!.
Rock art, or seni cadas, is one of the oldest forms of human expression in the world. It appears as drawings, paintings, or carvings made on stone surfaces. You can usually find these artworks on cave walls, cliffs, or large rock formations, and most of them come from prehistoric times. Even so, this kind of art didn’t totally disappear—di some areas in Africa, rock art was still practiced until the 19th century and maybe even continued after that.
How Do Archaeologists Determine the Age of the Painting?
Archaeologists use three main scientific methods to find out how old a cave painting is:1.Uranium-Series Dating
The most accurate method for rock art. It measures the age of the calcite layer that forms on top of the painting
2.Radiocarbon Dating
Used only when the pigment contains organic materials, like charcoal.
3.OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence)
Dating Used to date the sediments or soil that cover or surround the artwork. The Indonesian painting, estimated to be 51,000 years old, was dated using Uranium-Series Dating, which is currently considered the gold standard for studying ancient cave art. Indonesia & France: Parallel Histories in Cave Art
Indonesia & France: Parallel Histories in Cave Art
Pict: pslh.ugm.ac.id
- Animal Depictions
Both feature animals as primary subjects, such as wild pigs, bison, or horses. - Narrative Elements
Each presents scenes or storytelling rather than isolated images. - Natural Pigments
Both used natural materials like red ochre, charcoal, and mineral-based pigments. - Symbolic or Ritual Purposes
Likely created for spiritual, ritualistic, or symbolic reasons. - Located Inside Caves
Both artworks were made on cave walls, taking advantage of protected and stable environments.
