The Friday Photo: The Leang-Leang Caves
Maybe 17,000 years ago, maybe 40,000 years ago, someone scrambled up to the wall of this cave and left his handprint. It’s a large hand for prehistoric times, about the size of mine, and his ring finger is severed at the first joint. Was he an artist? A priest? A warrior? A chieftain?
And was it these little, child-size hands that painted this babirusa? Whoever they were, it’s amazing to think that they climbed the self-same slippery limestone that we did, countless generations ago, and left their mark for aeons.
The Leang-Leang caves of Sulawesi are home to the world’s earliest dated cave art: 39,900 years old. They’re on the northern outskirts of Maros town, on the main Makassar-Rantepao highway: buses pass the entrance. Two caves are currently open: to visit the caves with dated paintings, you’ll need a permit from the office in Fort Rotterdam, Makassar.
I love this – you hear about the cave art in France, but not Indonesia!
Well, it was quite a big story when they dated it back in October – but it’s a lot, lot older than Lascaux. I’m really curious as to WHY more people haven’t heard of it, and whether there’s some eurocentricity going on….
Loved your article also amazing pic. Did you say 40,000 years ago, WOW! thats a long time dude.
Thanx for sharing.
Yes, I did! One of them’s been uranium dated to 39,900 years ago – so slightly under 40,000.
Sounds fascinating, I would love to visit this area some day, those are extremely old, Interesting coloration too on the imprints.
They are. We didn’t get into see the very oldest one as we needed a permit, but that is the oldest hand stencil in the world, and the babirusa painting is probably the oldest piece of figurative art, which is pretty darn cool.
I’ve seem some American Indian art in cave-like dwellings in Colorado, but never anything like this. This is OLD!
It’s ancient – truly, truly old. Older than Lascaux and the Spanish caves.
I love these little-known finds-particularly the ancient ones. The caves look fascinating!
It’s amazing to think that you were standing in the exact same spot as someone 40,000 years ago. I wonder who will stand in your footsteps 40,000 years from now.
Gosh, I wonder. I wonder where the sea will be 40,000 years from now, and whether the caves will even be there. I hope they will, though. Caves always bring out the nostalgia in me.