Context

A team of archaeologists has discovered what may be the world's oldest known cave painting dating back to more than 45,000 years.

About

Key features of the painting

• The cave painting depicts a wild boar endemic to the Sulawesi island of Indonesia, where the painting was found.
• It dates back to more than 45,000 years.
• The painting was made using red ochre pigment.
• These pigs have been hunted by humans for tens of thousands of years and are the most commonly depicted animal in the ice age rock art of the island.
• The painting was found in the Leang Tedongnge cave.
  • The cave is situated in a remote valley surrounded by limestone cliffs, and is only accessible during the dry season because of flooding during the wet season.
    

Dating method

• Archaeologists used a method called U-series isotope analysis, which uses calcium carbonate deposits that form naturally on the cave wall surface to determine its age.
• They used a calcium carbonate deposit, also referred to as “cave popcorn” that had formed on the rear foot of one of the pig figures.

What is the significance of the cave painting?

• It shows the oldest evidence for the presence of hominins beyond the southeastern limits of the Ice Age Asian continent.
• It depicts the food habit of Hominins which includes the boars as food.
• The painting is a form of creative thinking and artistic expression at that time.