Unveiling the Past: The Discovery of the World’s Oldest Known Evidence of Storytelling through Art

In a groundbreaking discovery made by our team, in partnership with researchers at Griffith University in Australia, what may be the oldest known evidence of storytelling through art has been revealed. This cave painting was found in a limestone cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The painting, located in the cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi, depicts three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig. The team of scientists, co-led by researchers from Griffith University and Southern Cross University, have utilized new technology to revolutionize our understanding of the origin of early art. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature, showcasing the significance of this ancient artwork.

This discovery sheds light on the evolution of human creativity and storytelling, with the painting being much older than other famous historical sites such as the Pyramids at Giza. The collaboration with Google Arts & Culture has allowed panoramic images of these caves to be captured and shared globally, allowing people from around the world to access these sites and contribute to preservation efforts.