The earliest known evidence of storytelling through art in the world

A ground-breaking discovery has been made by our team, in partnership with researchers at Griffith University in Australia, revealing what may be the oldest known evidence of storytelling through art. The discovery was found in a limestone cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The painting, located in the cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi, depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig. This cave painting, with a minimum age of 51,200 years, is considered the oldest message recorded in the world.

The team of scientists, co-led by researchers from Griffith University and Southern Cross University, have utilized new technology to revolutionize our understanding of the origin of early art. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature, showcasing the significance of this ancient artwork.

The discovery of this cave painting on Sulawesi sheds light on the evolution of human creativity and storytelling, with the painting being much older than other famous historical sites such as the Pyramids at Giza. Through a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, panoramic images of the caves have been captured, allowing people from around the world to access these sites and contribute to preservation efforts.