Discover the 68,000-Year-Old Hand Claw Pattern: The Oldest Known Rock Art

A stunning discovery of a nearly 68,000-year-old hand stencil on the walls of a cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia, may represent the oldest known rock art. This stencil appears to have been intentionally modified, giving the fingers a claw-like appearance rather than a traditional handprint.

In recent years, Sulawesi has emerged as a significant location in human history. The island has been home to various hominin species since the earliest humans likely appeared over 1.4 million years ago, with Homo erectus making its initial known journey to the area.

In 2024, researcher Maxim Aubert and his team from Griffith University uncovered the world’s oldest known figurative art on the island, dating back at least 51,200 years. This art includes depictions of pigs alongside human-like figures. More recently, Aubert’s team reported finding 44 additional rock art sites in Southeast Sulawesi, including a hand-painted stencil at Liang Metanduno, dated to 67,800 years ago.

The previous record for the oldest known rock art, a hand-painted stencil found in a Neanderthal site in Northern Spain, is estimated to be at least 66,700 years old, making the Sulawesi find significant in the timeline of art history.

Aubert noted that the Sulawesi hand stencil exhibits signs of modification; the tip of one finger appears intentionally tapered, possibly through pigment application techniques. This unique form of hand stencil art has only been recognized in Sulawesi to date.

“This is more than just a hand pattern,” states Aubert. “They appear to be retouching it, whether with a brush or spray, achieving a similar effect.”

The purpose of this artistic technique remains unknown. Aubert speculates, “They likely aimed to mimic an animal’s claw-like appearance.”

Aubert indicated that identifying the exact species that created this hand stencil remains uncertain. However, the unique artistic alterations imply it was likely made by modern humans, suggesting a connection to the ancestors of the first Australians.

Evidence from the Madjedbebe site in Arnhem Land, Australia, indicates that Homo sapiens arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago. Additionally, increasing evidence suggests Sulawesi is a crucial early pathway linking Southeast Asia to New Guinea and Australia.

“These discoveries have far-reaching implications for our understanding of art history,” says Aubert. “The creators of this stencil were likely among the ancestors of the first Australians, underscoring the cultural significance of their rock art, which dates back at least 68,000 years.”

Team member Adam Blum, also from Griffith University, notes that both the Neanderthal hand stencils in Spain and the Sulawesi rock art were created using similar techniques, such as spraying ochre pigments.

“Modern humans exhibited a distinct artistic approach,” Blum explains. “They intentionally altered the finger contours of the stencil, creating a more pointed and narrower appearance. This transformed the hand imprint into a potential representation of an animal claw.”

“Such changes highlight the creativity and imaginative capacity of modern human artists, showcasing abstract thinking not evidenced in Neanderthal hand imprints,” he adds.

Martin Poe, a researcher from the University of Western Australia in Perth, stated that this discovery confirms the world’s oldest known rock art attributed to modern humans. “The dates on the stencil correspond with the earliest known timelines for Homo sapiens. This region encompasses not just Australia but mainland Asia and Southeast Asia,” Poe concluded, emphasizing the need for further research to clarify the migration routes of early humans to Australia.

Uncovering Ancient Caves: The Origins of Humanity in Northern Spain

Embark on a journey to discover some of the world’s oldest cave paintings nestled in the beautiful landscapes of northern Spain. Travel back 40,000 years to learn how our ancestors lived, engaged in play, and crafted tools. From ancient Paleolithic art to remarkable geological forms, each cave sings a unique and timeless tale.