Unearthing the Past: Discovering the World’s Oldest Cave Painting and Its Implications for Prehistoric Art

In Paris, a cave painting of a large wild boar with three human figures around it is believed to be the oldest work of art in the world, dating back 51,000 years. This archaeological discovery was announced by a group of scientists who had previously discovered a hunting scene in another nearby cave in 2019, estimated to be 44,000 years old. Made with red pigments, this painting is the oldest evidence of a narrative, according to archaeologist Maxime Aubert from Australia’s Griffith University.

Researchers have developed a new method for dating ancient artifacts that uses lasers and computer software for precision and accuracy. The team applied this method to an undated painting in a cave on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, discovered in 2017, revealing that it was at least 51,200 years old. This discovery challenges the previously held belief that prehistoric art emerged first in Europe and raises questions about artistic expression during prehistoric times.

The mystery of why there is such a significant gap in artistic expression before the cave paintings in Indonesia remains unanswered. One theory suggests that prehistoric art outside of Indonesia did not survive over time while another suggests that there may be undiscovered ancient art waiting to be found. The discovery of these ancient artworks challenges traditional beliefs about early human civilizations and prompts further research into the origins of ancient art forms.