“Ancient Cave Art: Is This 44,000-Year-Old Masterpiece Revealing Humanity’s First Tale?”
What if I told you that figurative painting—long perceived as a European invention—has its roots nestled in a cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia? This startling revelation flips the script on what we thought we knew about the origins of art! This is where the story takes a fascinating turn: a cave painting that could be over 44,000 years old depicts a hunting scene, challenging our European-centric view of art history. Imagine that—ancient humans telling stories through art in what is now Indonesia, possibly long before their European counterparts picked up a brush! So, what do these findings mean for the art history narrative? Join me as we unravel this captivating tale that not only rewrites art history but also compels us to reconsider the very origins of human creativity. LEARN MORE.
“It has always been assumed that the tradition of figurative painting arose in Europe… This shows the tradition does not have its origins in Europe.”
Ratno SardiScientists have determined a cave painting depicting what looks to be a hunting scene is more than 44,000 years old.
An Indonesian archaeologist named Hamrullah — who is also an avid caver — climbed up a fig tree to access the narrow entryway of a cave in southern Sulawesi. There, the researcher discovered an incredible sight: a brown-reddish rock painting unlike any other found before.
Hamrullah snapped a blurry photo of the rock art on his phone and sent it to his Australian colleague, Adam Brumm, who was stunned by what he saw.
“I think I said the characteristic Australian four-letter word out very loud,” said Brumm. According to the BBC, the incredible rock art appeared to show a hunting scene which involved wild pigs and a small-sized buffalo species known as anoa, two of the island’s native fauna.
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