World's Oldest Painting 67,800 Years Old Found in Indonesia

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the findings proved that human symbolic creativity had been present very early in the archipelago. (IST)

JAKARTA - The discovery of the world's oldest ancient cave painting at least 67,800 years old in Liang Metanduno, Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, confirms Indonesia's position as one of the early centers of human civilization. This finding was published in the journal Nature on January 22, 2026 and immediately shifted the map of the history of the world's rock art.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the findings proved that human symbolic creativity had been present very early in the archipelago. "This encourages the world to re-read the history of civilization from a more complete perspective. Indonesia, especially Wallacea, is the epicenter of the early expression of human culture," he said in Jakarta, Thursday (22/1/2026).

This research is a collaboration between BRIN and Griffith University. The object found was a hand stencil dated using the Laser Ablation-Uranium Series (LA-U-series) method on a calcite layer over the pigment, ensuring a minimum age of 67,800 years.

Globally, the age of the painting at Liang Metanduno is about 1,100 years older than the oldest rock art in Spain, and 16,600 years older than the Maros-Pangkep rock art in South Sulawesi. These findings strengthen evidence that the early migration route of Homo sapiens through Wallacea to Sahul has brought advanced cultural abilities, including symbolic language and visual imagination.

The research program since 2019 has documented 44 sites in Southeast Sulawesi - including 14 new locations - as well as 11 motifs on eight sites. Another interesting detail is the stencil character with a tapered fingertip that is allegedly intentional, opening new questions about the aesthetics and rituals of the Pleistocene.

Fadli Zon emphasized that this finding was not merely a scientific achievement, but Indonesia's contribution to humanity. The government is preparing follow-up with researchers and regions, including further research, strict conservation, public education, and a path to recognition as a National Cultural Heritage to UNESCO World Heritage. "This handprint is a message across time. Our task is to protect and pass it on with responsibility," he said.