MAROS, RAKYAT NEWS – In a bid to protect Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, archaeologists are calling for the preservation of prehistoric cave paintings in the Maros-Pangkep karst region of South Sulawesi. These ancient artworks, some dating back 51,200 years, are among the oldest known examples of human creativity in the world.

The paintings, discovered by a collaborative team of researchers from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Griffith University, and Southern Cross University, Australia, depict images of wild pigs, human-like figures, and hand stencils.

Basran Burhan, a researcher at the Sulawesi Archaeological Collaboration Center and BRIN, emphasized the importance of safeguarding these invaluable artifacts. Speaking to reporters in Kendari on Friday, Burhan urged visitors to adhere to preservation guidelines set by the Cultural Heritage Conservation Office (BPK) in Makassar.

He warned against defacing or adding graffiti to the ancient sites, which have gained significant attention on social media following their recent discovery.

The prehistoric paintings, located in caves such as Leang Tedongnge and Leang Karampuang, were first uncovered in 2017 by a team of archaeologists from Hasanuddin University. After years of meticulous research, the findings were publicly revealed in 2021, with the oldest painting estimated to be around 45,500 years old. These discoveries have shed light on the early artistic expressions of ancient humans in Southeast Asia.

To date, 734 prehistoric sites have been identified across the Maros-Pangkep karst region, with approximately 70% of them featuring cave paintings. These artworks include depictions of anoa (a type of buffalo), wild pigs, human handprints, and birds. While the paintings of birds are believed to be relatively younger, the oldest artwork—a 51,200-year-old depiction of a pig and a human-like figure—remains a testament to the region’s archaeological significance.

YouTube player