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Where Is the World's Oldest Known Cave Painting?
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Quick Answer
A cave painting of a pig in Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been dated to at least 45,500 years ago.
The Full Story
A painting of a warty pig (Sus celebensis) in the Leang Tedongnge limestone cave in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, was dated to at least 45,500 years ago using uranium-series analysis of overlying mineral deposits, making it the oldest known figurative cave art. Nearby caves on Sulawesi contain other ancient paintings, including a hunting scene dated to about 43,900 years ago. These discoveries challenged the long-held view that the oldest cave art was European, such as the paintings at Chauvet Cave in France (about 36,000 years old).
Key Facts
1.The pig painting is about 136 cm by 54 cm.
2.Sulawesi's cave art was created by modern humans (Homo sapiens) who had reached the island.
3.Hand stencils — made by blowing pigment around a hand — are also common in these caves.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The 45,000-Year-Old Pig — The World's Oldest Cave Painting"