Sulawesi's Ancient Echoes: A 67,800-Year-Old Story
Unveiling the world's oldest cave paintings and the stories they whisper from the depths of time.
The massive rock art paintings were reported by the local people in the 1970s. The researchers from The National Research Center of Archaeology then came and performed research and documentation.
Not long after, Metanduno Cave, located in Liang Kabori village, Lohia Regency, became a tourist site with the most rock art paintings in Muna region. Visitors can easily access this cave from Raha City by using cars.
Greetings from the sun, boats and various human figures
As you crawl into the cave, on the left side panel you are greeted by images of the sun, boats and various human figures with large hands. Because of its low ceiling cave, visitors can either sit or lie to observe the art.
Cave filled with paintings
On the middle panel of the cave you can see hundreds of paintings of human figures, boats with human figures on its hull, paddles, and oars, and hunting scenes.
A male bovid at Metanduno Cave, Southeast Sulawesi (2015) by Adhi Agus Oktaviana Research Organization for Archaeology, Language and Literature, National Research and Innovation Agency
The biggest rock art painting in Muna island
The figurative animal is depicted in the middle of the cave with a solid brown color. The animal looks like a bovine or a horse.
Look closely behind the animal's foot... what do you see?
A hunting scene
On the ceiling, a lively hunting scene was painted on the right panel of the cave. A number of hunters riding horses and accompanied by dogs when hunting the bovines.
These dynamic representations of human figures are related to the socioeconomic activities in Metanduno Cave, from hunting to the maritime scene.
The hunters in action
The rock art images portray the hunting activity of various prey, such as deer, anoa, or pigs, by using long sticks. Alternatively, if they rode a horse, they probably used some type of rope to capture the animals.
The oldest rock art from hand stencils at Metanduno Cave (2026) by Adhi Agus Oktaviana and Maxime Aubert Research Organization for Archaeology, Language and Literature, National Research and Innovation Agency
67.8 ka Hand Stencils
Recent dating published in Nature reveals hand stencils are at least 67.8 thousand years old. This groundbreaking discovery adds new depth to our understanding of early human artistic expression. See the groundbreaking scientific finding here
Prof. Max at Metanduno Cave (2019) by Adhi Agus Oktaviana Research Organization for Archaeology, Language and Literature, National Research and Innovation Agency
Sketching the Past
Prof Maxime Aubert sketches the panel of hand stencils, meticulously documenting these ancient signatures. Each stencil offers a personal touch from artists tens of thousands of years in the past.
Check the safety rope system in Bulu Sipong 4 cave (2018) by Ratno Sardi Research Organization for Archaeology, Language and Literature, National Research and Innovation Agency
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