What's Happening?
Researchers have discovered the oldest known art in the world, dating back to at least 67,800 years ago, in the caves of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This art, a hand stencil with extended fingers resembling claws, is considered a form of figurative art, indicating
complex symbolic thinking. The discovery was made by an international team, including researchers from Griffith University and Indonesia's national research and innovation agency. This finding predates the previously oldest known hand stencil found in Spain, which was attributed to Neanderthals. The art suggests that early modern humans were present in the region long before the theorized 'successful' exit from Africa around 50,000 years ago.
Why It's Important?
This discovery challenges previous theories about the timeline of human migration and the development of symbolic art. It suggests that modern humans were creating art much earlier than previously thought, indicating advanced cognitive abilities. The presence of such ancient art in Indonesia also supports the theory of a long chronology for human migration to Australia, suggesting that humans may have reached the continent earlier than the widely accepted timeline of 50,000 to 40,000 years ago. This has implications for understanding the spread of human populations and the development of culture and art.
What's Next?
Further research is likely to focus on exploring other sites in Southeast Asia to find more evidence of early human presence and art. This could lead to a reevaluation of the migration routes and timelines of early humans. Additionally, the findings may prompt a reexamination of the role of Southeast Asia in the development of early human culture and art, potentially leading to new insights into the cognitive and cultural evolution of Homo sapiens.
