Ancient Cave Art: Discovering Indonesia's Oldest Paintings
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Chapter 1: Unveiling Indonesia's Remarkable Cave Paintings
Recent archaeological findings have unveiled the oldest known cave paintings in the world, located in Indonesia. This exciting discovery, made by a collaborative team from Australia and Indonesia, centers around a cave in the southern region of Celebes, where a stunning depiction of three Celebes pigs has been dated to at least 45,500 years ago.
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Section 1.1: Historical Context of Cave Art
It is widely acknowledged that the earliest forms of artistic expression emerged during the Paleolithic era. Notable examples of such cave paintings have been unearthed in southern France, particularly the renowned Lascaux paintings, as well as in northern Spain, with many dating back at least 11,000 years. However, cave art predates these examples, with significant works originating from the islands of Indonesia.
In a groundbreaking achievement, the Australian-Indonesian archaeological team has discovered even older cave art. Found in the Leang Tedongnge cave on Celebes, these paintings are believed to depict three Celebes pigs and are estimated to be around 45,500 years old.
Indonesia is rich in archaeological treasures featuring cave art. Alongside the discovery at Leang Tedongnge, researchers also identified paintings in the nearby Leang Balangajia cave, dating back 32,000 years, which also showcase Celebes pigs. This local species of pig has long been hunted by humans in what is now Indonesia, making them a frequent subject in Paleolithic art.
Section 1.2: The Significance of Leang Tedongnge
What sets the Leang Tedongnge painting apart is not only its age but also its representation of figurative art. Most of the oldest cave paintings consist of geometric shapes, making genre scenes, like the one featuring the three pigs, exceedingly rare for this stage of human evolution.
“The pigs depicted in this Celebes painting are likely the earliest known artwork globally,” asserts Prof. Adam Brumm from Griffith University’s Australian Center for the Study of Human Evolution, who served as the deputy leader of the expedition.
The expedition to Leang Tedongnge, carved into limestone, was only feasible during the dry season, as the valley where the caves are situated is submerged under water during other months. The painting, created with red pigment, is located above the water line, on the cave's back wall. According to local accounts, the archaeologists were the first outsiders to explore this remote area.
Chapter 2: Methods of Dating Cave Paintings
The first video explores the groundbreaking discovery of cave paintings in Indonesia, which might represent the earliest storytelling art known to humanity.
The age of these remarkable cave paintings was determined using the uranium-thorium dating method, typically applied to calcium carbonate-rich materials. A notable calcium carbonate deposit found on one of the pig's hooves, dated to 45,500 years old, suggests that the painting beneath it must be even older.
“We have documented numerous paintings in the area that remain undated. We anticipate more significant discoveries of early cave art,” remarked Adhi Agust Oktaviana, a co-author of the study and expert on Indonesian cave art. The discovery was published in the esteemed journal Science Advances.
Section 2.1: Themes and Techniques in Cave Art
The earliest cave art commonly features simple geometric patterns, the meanings of which are still a mystery. Over time, more complex representations emerged, including handprints, both positive and negative, along with schematic depictions of human genitalia. However, the most prevalent subject in cave art remains animals.
This theme resonates across cave paintings worldwide, with prehistoric artists illustrating both the creatures they hunted and those that posed threats. In contrast to the detailed and lifelike portrayals of animals, human figures were depicted more abstractly and less frequently. Various techniques were employed in cave art, including painting combined with engravings to create a three-dimensional effect, enhanced by the flickering light of torches in the dark caves.
Section 2.2: Global Perspectives on Cave Paintings
Cave paintings can be found across nearly every continent, not only in caves but also in rock shelters and open spaces. Europe is home to approximately 400 archaeological sites featuring Paleolithic art, with the highest concentrations in France and Spain.
The iconic Lascaux cave paintings, discovered in 1940, have become a cornerstone of art history. A 2018 study highlighted that some of the oldest examples of non-figurative cave art, dating back 64,000 years, were found in the Iberian Peninsula, featuring red geometric symbols in the Maltravieso, Ardales, and La Pasiega caves in Spain.
Modern humans, or Homo sapiens, arrived in Europe at least 20,000 years later than these artworks, suggesting that Neanderthals were the artists. In addition to Celebes, significant cave paintings have been discovered in Borneo, Myanmar, India, and Mongolia, as well as in northern Australia, where images of the extinct Genyornis birds, which vanished 40,000 years ago, have been found. Africa also boasts numerous cave paintings, particularly in South Africa, Namibia, Algeria, and Egypt, while North and South America feature younger artworks, dating from 10,000 to 6,000 years ago.
The second video discusses the recent findings of the oldest cave art in Sulawesi, offering insights into early human creativity and cultural expression.
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