Ancient cave art of a human hand found in Indonesia

Scientists have discovered the oldest known rock art, a red stencil of a hand in an Indonesian cave, dating back at least 67,800 years, which provides insights into early human migration to Australia. This finding, led by archaeologists from Indonesia and Australia, suggests that modern humans were present in Indonesia during this time, potentially supporting theories of migration routes to Australia. The hand stencil’s unique claw-shaped design hints at a complex cultural relationship with the animal world. The research also indicates that the Muna caves were used for rock art over a long period, with some artworks being painted as recently as 35,000 years ago.