Before 2014, no one knew for sure how old the paintings in the caves in Maros were. However, a research paper published in noted international science journal Nature on October 9, 2014, changed everything.
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KOMPAS/MOHAMAD FINAL DAENG
A painting of a babirusa on the ceiling of Leang Timpuseng prehistoric cave in Bantimurung district, Maros, South Sulawesi, on Friday. Archeological research in 2014 found that the painting was at least 35,400 years old, making it one of the oldest figurative paintings in the world.
Before 2014, no one knew for sure how old the paintings in the caves in Maros were. Experts estimated that they were less than 10,000 years old. However, a research paper published in noted international science journal Nature on October 9, 2014, changed everything.
The research was held in collaboration with experts from the Makassar Archeology Center, the South Sulawesi Cultural Heritage Preservation Center, University of Wollongong, Griffith University and Australian National University. The paper shocked the global archeology scene and was widely reported by international media.
The research revealed that one hand stencil in Leang Timpuseng was at least 39,900 years old. Leang Timpuseng is located in Kalabbirang subdistrict, Bantimurung district, some 3 kilometers away from the Leang-leang Prehistoric Park.
The estimated age of the hand stencil was measured using the uranium-series dating method. The method measures the age of coralloid speleothems, which are commonly referred to as “cave popcorn” as they look like small bumps similar to popped corn.
Coralloid grows on the surface of cave walls due to the hardening of layers of water and other minerals. The age of the coralloid can be measured through its diluted uranium content. This way, experts can find out the age of cave paintings on the surface of which coralloid grows.
In a press conference in Jakarta, research team head Adam Brumm from Australia’s University of Wollongong said that the revelation of the age of Maros’ cave paintings was highly important in unraveling the mysteries of prehistoric life in Indonesia around 40,000 years ago.
“Uranium-series dating is highly accurate. If carbon dating can only detect ages of up to around 40,000 years, uranium-series dating can detect ages of up to around 600,000 years,” Adam said (Kompas, 10/10/2014).
This new fact has a far-ranging impact as it changes our understanding on the journeys of modern humans (Homo sapiens) on the face of the Earth. Its age of 39,900 years old puts the Maros cave painting in the same age range as the paintings in El Castillo cave in Spain.
A disc-shaped painting in El Castillo is known as the world’s oldest painting. It is at least 40,800 years old. The El Castillo painting is often seen as the beginning of modern humans’ artistic skills before they spread to other parts of the world.
The finding in Timpuseng shows that similar skills were also apparent in humans in other parts of the world in the same – or even in a previous – era. Among findings of cave hand stencils, the one in Leang Timpuseng is believed to be the oldest in the world. Previously the record of the world’s oldest cave hand stencil was held by a 37,300-year-old artefact in El Castillo.
ARKENAS DAN BPCB MAKASSAR
A cave wall painting in Leang Timpuseng, Maros, South Sulawesi, recently preserved by the National Archeology Center.
Just a few centimeters away from the hand stencil in Timpuseng, there is another faded painting. Researchers have ascertained that it is a painting of a babirusa. A uranium-series dating found it to be 35,400 years old.
At Leang Barugayya 2 cave, not far from Timpuseng, a painting believed to be of a pig is believed to be at least 35,700 years old. This makes the animal paintings on the caves in Maros among the oldest decorative paintings in the world.
The research took 19 coralloid samples from 14 paintings in nine caves in Bantimurung and Simbang districts. Other than Timpuseng and Barugayya 2, the samples were also taken from Leang Barugayya 1, Leang Jarie, Goa Jing, Leang Bulu Bettue, Leang Lompoa, Leang Burung 2 and Leang Sampeang.
Research shows that the paintings were between 17,400 and 39,900 years old. A majority of the paintings are more than 25,000 years old.
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