A team of researchers from Griffith University and Southern Cross University in Australia have developed a new analysis technique that has determined the age of calcium carbonate on top of ancient artwork to be over 51,000 years old. This is more than 4,000 years older than previously believed.
Adhi Agus Oktaviana, the lead author of the study, stated that while the exact story behind the artwork remains unknown, it is evident that the images of humans and a large pig are part of a larger narrative. This discovery provides archaeologists with the oldest evidence of storytelling through art, dating back over 51,000 years.
In a related study conducted by the same team, the oldest hunting sequence depicted in rock art was found in Sulawesi, dating back around 44,000 years. This scene shows pigs being hunted, but it is uncertain if the newly-analysed artwork is also a hunting scene. These findings shed light on the ancient artistry and storytelling capabilities of early humans, revealing a rich history that was previously unknown.