Scientists Discover 67,800-Year-Old Cave Art in Indonesia

Scientists Discover 67,800-Year-Old Cave Art in Indonesia

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Indonesia that is rewriting human history.

locationIndonesia

Inside the Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, researchers uncovered a 67,800-year-old hand stencil, officially becoming the oldest known piece of cave art in the world.

locationLiang Metanduno
locationMuna Island

This ancient artwork features a unique "claw-like" design, showcasing the advanced symbolic thinking of early Homo sapiens.

personHomo sapiens

To determine the age of this masterpiece, scientists used uranium-series dating to analyze mineral layers, or "cave popcorn," that had formed over the painting.

techuranium-series dating

This discovery is a collaboration between Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and Indonesia's BRIN.

orgGriffith University
orgSouthern Cross University
locationIndonesia
orgBRIN

These findings suggest that our ancestors possessed sophisticated cognitive abilities much earlier than once believed, painting a new picture of humanity's journey out of Africa and into the Asia-Pacific.

locationAfrica
locationAsia-Pacific
🎉

End of article

You read 6 focus sentences.

Challenge Mode

Comprehension Questions

How old is the hand stencil discovered in the Liang Metanduno cave?

✓

Correct Choice

67,800 years old

What scientific technique was used to date the cave art?

✓

Correct Choice

Uranium-series dating

What is unique about the design of the hand stencil?

✓

Correct Choice

It has a claw-like appearance

Where is the Liang Metanduno cave located?

✓

Correct Choice

On Muna Island, Indonesia

What does this discovery suggest about early humans?

✓

Correct Choice

They possessed advanced cognitive abilities

Ringoo Icon

Learn faster with Ringoo apps

Trace your learning progress and get real-time feedback with interactive exercises.

App StoreGoogle Play