Story perspectives

Ancient Hand Stencil Redefines Early Cave Art History

1/26/2026

47 7

Summary

Story summary

The 67,800-year-old hand stencil from Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, Indonesia, is the oldest securely dated cave art.
Scientists used uranium-series dating to determine the age, showing it predates Europe-centered estimates by more than 16,000 years.
The stencil's uniquely modified fingers suggest complex symbolic ideas about identity and human-animal relations.
The findings indicate a long tradition of artistic expression in Sulawesi and inform theories on early migration to Australia.

1 of 1

Story summary

The 67,800-year-old hand stencil from Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, Indonesia, is the oldest securely dated cave art.
Scientists used uranium-series dating to determine the age, showing it predates Europe-centered estimates by more than 16,000 years.
The stencil's uniquely modified fingers suggest complex symbolic ideas about identity and human-animal relations.
The findings indicate a long tradition of artistic expression in Sulawesi and inform theories on early migration to Australia.