Early human cognition

Indonesia’s 67,800-Year-Old Rock Art Rewrites Human History

The discovery of what appears to be the world’s oldest known rock art in Indonesia, dating back a staggering 67,800 years, is truly mind-boggling. This isn’t just any old cave painting; it’s a glimpse into a mindscape so ancient that it fundamentally challenges our perceptions of early human capabilities and their rich inner lives. To put that number into perspective, 67,800 years is roughly 34 times the span of what we consider modern history, which began around 0 BCE. It’s a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of the universe’s existence, but an eternity in human terms.

What makes this discovery particularly fascinating is that these aren’t simple, rudimentary markings.… Continue reading