Sulawesi Cave Paintings: Who, What, and Where?
How cutting-edge tech helped discover our earliest art
The location of Bulu Sipong 4 cave (2019) by Andrea JalandoniArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
Where?
Our story begins on Sulawesi, a large island in Indonesia, in caves spread over an 80 km stretch along the south of the island...
Exterior view of Karampuang Cave (2024)Archaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
... specifically the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region. Can you spot the entrance through the trees?
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What was found?
On the roof of the cave, paintings depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig were discovered. They've degraded over time, which is understandable given their age... over 51,200 years old!
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Laser analysis of layers of calcium carbonate was used to determine the paintings' age. They're the oldest known cave art, and the earliest evidence of narrative storytelling, anywhere in the world. Other, already known paintings were also re-dated to this earlier period.
Research collaboration, recording at site (2023) by Adhi Agus OktavianaArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
Who made the discovery?
Archaeology teams from Griffith University in Australia and the National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia came together to explore and understand the rock art of Sulawesi. They worked with local guides and custodians of the ancient sites.
Preparation to enter the upper chamber of Bulu Sipong 4 cave (2019) by Ratno SardiArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The discovery of the Leang Karampuang paintings was all down to a Cultural Heritage Guard, Oki Amrullah, who spotted paint marks high up on the cave's ceiling.
Complete panel on ceiling (2023) by Adhi Agus Oktaviana and Ratno SardiArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
Joining the dots
It took deep local knowledge combined with expert analysis to identify the paintings. This enhanced image reveals their discovery for a wider audience. Can you spot the pigs?
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Step inside...
The fragile state of the paintings and the importance of their preservation means that there's no public access to the caves, but here you can make a virtual trip and follow humanity's first story.
The research was made possible by collaboration efforts from various government bodies, universities and communities.
In collaboration with:
School of Humanities, Languages & Social Science
Centre for Social & Cultural Research
Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution
Griffith University, Australia
Pusat Riset Arkeometri, Organisasi Riset Arkeologi, Bahasa, dan Sastra, Badan Risetdan Inovasi Nasional, Center for Prehistory & Austronesian Studies, Jakarta
Geoarchaeology & Archaeometry Research Group, Southern Cross University, Australia
Pusat Riset Arkeologi Prasejarah dan Sejarah, Organisasi Riset Arkeologi
Pusat Riset Arkeologi Lingkungan, Maritim, dan Budaya Berkelanjutan
Pusat Kolaborasi Riset Arkeologi Sulawesi
Bahasa, dan Sastra, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, Jakarta
Korps Pecinta Alam
Departemen Arkeologi, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya
Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar
Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan Wilayah XIX, Makassar
Badan Layanan Umum Museum dan Cagar Budaya, Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan, Jakarta
KK Desain Komunikasi Visual, Fakulta Seni Rupa dan Desain, Institut Teknologi Bandung
