Scientists have found the oldest rock art dating back 67.8 thousand years

An international group of researchers has discovered the oldest known example of rock art on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi — a handprint dating back about 67.8 thousand years. This was reported on March 22 in the journal Science Daily.

A unique handprint pattern has been found in a limestone cave on the island of Sulawesi. According to scientists, it was created at least 67.8 years ago, making it the oldest reliably dated example of rock art in the world and thousands of years older than previously known finds in the region.

To determine the age, the researchers used uranium serial dating, analyzing the mineral layers formed on top and under the image. This made it possible to accurately determine the period of creation of the drawing and confirm its antiquity.

It is noted that the image was partially changed after creation: the lines of the fingers were narrowed, which is why the fingerprint took on a shape resembling a claw. Scientists believe that such changes could have a symbolic meaning, but the exact interpretation remains unknown.

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According to the researchers, the find indicates the early development of symbolic thinking and, possibly, spiritual ideas among ancient people. It also provides new data on the migrations of Homo sapiens, confirming the hypothesis that the ancestors of modern humans reached the region of Australia and New Guinea (the ancient supercontinent of Sahul) at least 65 thousand years ago.

Scientists suggest that the creators of the drawings in Sulawesi may have been part of a population that later settled towards Australia. This reinforces the arguments in favor of a northern migration route through the islands of Southeast Asia.

Experts emphasize that the discovery helps to better understand early human artistic activity and confirms that art originated much earlier than previously thought.

On March 19, Arkeonews reported the discovery of a 5.5 thousand-year-old settlement in Bolivia. The discovery was prompted by the monument to Ch'uhukullu, which was opened several decades ago, but has only now been studied. Analysis of charred organic remains from deep layers of the excavation using accelerator mass spectrometry showed that the first inhabitants appeared here between 3635 and 3381 BC.

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