Earliest rock art discovered in Indonesia

Archaeologists have discovered hand-stencil motifs at least 67,800 years
old in southeast Sulawesi, suggesting that humans may have sailed
from Borneo to the ancient continent of Sahul about 65,000 years ago


1 2
SUNDA
INDONESIA
AUSTRALIA
SAHUL

Proposed
human route


3 4 5
Rock art
sites

SOUTH
SULAWESI

40km
25 miles


Previously discovered Pleistocene rock art

1 Sangkurilang-Mangkalihat
40,000 years old

2 Maros-Pangkep Up to 51,200 years


Newly discovered

3 Liang Metanduno
At least 67,800 years old

4 Gua Mbokita
At least 44,700 years old


Hand
stencils
1 2 3

5 Gua Anawi
At least 20,100
years old

Holocene rock
art <11,700 years


Sources: Nature, Griffith University 
Pictures: Ahdi Agus Oktaviana, Maxime Aubert
© GRAPHIC NEWS