Earliest hunting scene in prehistoric art

Summary

Researchers in Sulawesi, Indonesia, have uncovered a previously unknown cave art site with a unique hunting scene depicting therianthropes—part human, part animal figures. The discovery includes a miniature of a wild pig and anoa, a buffalo unique to the island. Dating suggests this could be the oldest rock art on Earth, at least 43,900 years old, and the earliest example of figurative art. This significant find challenges our understanding of early human culture and hints at a rich, spiritual narrative.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Collaborative Exploration: The cave art in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is being explored by an international team including Indonesian scientists and local heritage organizations.
• 🔍 Unprecedented Discovery: A new, high-level cave with unique rock art was discovered in a well-explored area, indicating the potential for more undiscovered sites.
• 🎨 Unique Artwork: The cave contains a rare painting depicting a hunting scene with wild animals like a type of wild pig and the anoa, a buffalo unique to the island.
• 🧍‍♂️ Therianthropes: The hunters in the painting are portrayed as part-human, part-animal creatures, known as therianthropes, with some having bird heads or tails.
• 🏹 Hunting Tools: The figures are shown using tools like spears or ropes, suggesting a detailed narrative or myth about hunting.
• 🗓️ Dating the Art: The rock art is dated using uranium series dating of mineral growths that formed over the paintings, providing a minimum age.
• 🏆 Oldest Art: This art could be the oldest on Earth, being at least 43,900 years old, and possibly much older.
• 🖼️ Figurative Art: It represents some of the earliest figurative art, where the image resembles what it's intended to represent.
• 🌟 Ultimate Rock Art: The site is considered a pinnacle of rock art, featuring hand stencils, animal paintings, humans, and narrative scenes.
• 🚀 Expanding Understanding: The discovery challenges and expands our understanding of early human art and culture.

Q & A

What is the significance of the cave art discovered in Sulawesi?

The cave art in Sulawesi is significant because it represents a rich rock art province with a newly discovered site that contains unique and previously unseen imagery in the region.

Who collaborated in the exploration of the cave art in Sulawesi?

The exploration was a collaborative effort involving researchers from the National Research Centre for Archaeology in Indonesia, the local Cultural Heritage Preservation Branch in Makassar, and colleagues from various other local organizations.

How was the new cave art site discovered?

The new site was discovered when a team member looked up and noticed what seemed to be an entrance to a high-level cave. Upon climbing up a fig tree root to investigate, they found the incredible new rock art site.

What is depicted in the painting found in the high-level cave?

The painting depicts a hunting scene involving wild animals such as a type of wild pig and a miniature buffalo known as an anoa, as well as tiny hunters portrayed as part human part animal creatures, known as therianthropes.

What are therianthropes and how are they represented in the painting?

Therianthropes are part-human, part-animal creatures. In the painting, they are depicted with features such as a bird's head or a tail, and they are armed with spears or ropes for hunting.

What does the hunting scene suggest about the culture of the people who created the art?

The hunting scene suggests a complex story or myth that could be linked to spirituality, indicating a rich cultural and possibly religious significance in the art.

How is the age of rock art typically determined?

The age of rock art is typically determined by dating mineral growths, such as calcium carbonate coatings, that form over the paintings over time. This method provides a minimum age for the artwork.

What is the minimum age of the rock art panel discovered in Sulawesi?

The minimum age of the rock art panel is at least 43,900 years old, as determined by uranium series dating of the mineral growths that formed over the painting.

Why is the age of the rock art significant?

The age of the rock art is significant because it suggests that this may be the oldest rock art found anywhere on Earth, and it is the earliest known figurative art.

What elements are present in the rock art site that make it considered the 'ultimate' of rock art?

The site is considered the 'ultimate' of rock art because it contains hand stencils, animal paintings, depictions of humans, and narrative scenes with humans having animal features, all present from the beginning.

What does the discovery imply for our understanding of human history?

The discovery implies that there is much more rock art waiting to be found that could significantly change our understanding of the human story and the development of art and culture.