- Scientists have discovered the world’s oldest-known confidently dated cave painting on the ceiling of a limestone cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia, depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig, created at least 51,200 years ago, as per research published in Nature.
- The researchers used a new scientific approach, involving a laser to date calcium carbonate crystals that formed naturally on top of the painting inside the Leang Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region.
- The painting, dominated by a 92 cm by 38 cm pig figure alongside three smaller human-like figures, is painted in dark red pigment and is interpreted as a narrative scene, suggesting it is the oldest-known evidence of storytelling in art.
- The deliberate positioning and interaction of the figures, indicate an unmistakable sense of action and storytelling.
- The researchers also reassessed the age of another Sulawesi cave painting, depicting part-human, part-animal figures hunting pigs and dwarf buffalo, finding it to be at least 48,000 years old.
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