67,800-year-old handprint found in Indonesia may rewrite art history

Archaeologists have uncovered a handprint in a cave on Muna Island that could be the oldest known piece of cave art in the world, dating back at least 67,800 years. The discovery, reported in Nature, was made at Liang Metanduno cave, a site already famous for its ancient paintings of humans, animals, and boats.

Researchers determined the age of the handprint using uranium-series analysis of calcium carbonate deposits that had formed on and around it. While 67,800 years represents a minimum age, the actual creation of the artwork could be considerably older.

This handprint exceeds the age of both the oldest previously known rock art in Indonesia and a Neanderthal hand stencil in Spain, which until now held the record for the oldest verified cave art, the study notes.

The handprint, made by blowing a mixture of ochre and water over a human hand, shows distinctive modifications—a tapering and elongation of the fingers—that suggest sophisticated cognitive abilities, possibly unique to Homo sapiens rather than Neanderthals.

Beyond its artistic significance, the find has implications for understanding human migration in Southeast Asia. It suggests that modern humans may have moved through Indonesia en route to Australia earlier than previously thought, predating estimates of 50,000–65,000 years ago.

Liang Metanduno, located in Southeast Sulawesi province, has long been regarded as an “ancient art gallery” for its striking depictions of life tens of thousands of years ago. The newly discovered handprint adds an even deeper historical layer, reshaping our understanding of early human creativity and movement across the region.

By Vugar Khalilov