WORLD’S OLDEST CAVE PAINTINGS: ART AND CULTURE
News: Recently, Scientists have discovered World’s oldest cave
paintings.
What’s
in the news?
Until
now, the oldest-known cave painting was one at Leang Tedongnge cave, also in
Sulawesi, from at least 45,500 years ago.
About the painting
·
The cave painting was found on the ceiling of Leang
Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi,
Indonesia.
·
It depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig,
painted in dark red pigment.
·
Scientists used a new dating method involving
laser technology to date calcium carbonate crystals that formed over the
painting.
o The
painting has been determined to be at least 51,200 years old, making it the
oldest confidently dated cave art discovered.
·
Narrative Interpretation: Researchers
interpret the painting as a narrative scene, potentially the oldest-known
evidence of storytelling through art.
Implications:
·
Another Sulawesi cave painting at Leang Bulu’ Sipong 4,
depicting hunting scenes, was also re-dated to at least 48,000 years old.
·
These discoveries predate European cave art, challenging
previous assumptions about the birthplace of cave art and human storytelling.
·
It underscores the importance of Southeast Asia as a pivotal
region in the history of human cultural development.
·
It opens new avenues for understanding the cultural and
cognitive evolution of early humans through their artistic expressions.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/worlds-oldest-cave-painting-in-indonesia-shows-a-pig-and-people/article68366794.ece