Over two and a half years, teams from BRIN, Griffith University and Google Arts & Culture meticulously documented these ancient sites, at times using advanced laser technology. They have revealed human stories that stretch back more than 50,000 years, with the oldest example dating back to 51,200 years. Their discoveries include the world’s oldest known narrative cave art, the earliest depiction of a hunting scene and evidence of early surgical practices.

This digital preservation makes these windows into the past accessible. Lecturers and archaeologist teams are using these resources for education and outreach both inside and beyond the boundaries of the classroom. This initiative not only preserves these sites digitally, but also helps illuminate our shared human origins, and broadens these historical narratives from Indonesia to the world.

In a related effort to protect and promote its cultural heritage, Indonesia, as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention, intends to nominate the Maros Pangkep caves, which are particularly known for their ancient rock painting and featured in the online collection, for World Heritage inscription. This nomination aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to identify, conserve and transmit its heritage to future generations. By proposing the Maros Pangkep site, Indonesia also supports international cooperation in preserving what is considered to have outstanding universal value, further demonstrating its dedication to fulfilling its obligations under the Convention while highlighting the site’s profound significance to humanity.

Take a journey to Indonesia’s ancient caves at goo.gle/indonesiarockart.