Lubang Jeriji Saléh
Indonesia · Asia
A Borneo cave holding what may be the world’s oldest figurative painting — a wild cattle beast dated beyond 40,000 years.
Age
~40,000 yrs
Period
Upper Palaeolithic
Setting
Cave
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
1994
Status
Closed (Research Access Only)
In the remote limestone karst of East Kalimantan, this cave preserves a reddish-orange painting of a wild bovid dated to at least 40,000 years ago — briefly the oldest known figurative image on Earth. Its walls also carry mulberry-coloured hand stencils, evidence of a deep Ice Age artistic tradition in Borneo.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Possibly the oldest figurative painting
- ◦ Wild cattle dated 40,000+ years
- ◦ Ancient mulberry hand stencils
Depicted Subjects
CattleHand StencilsAnimals
Plan a Visit
AccessClosed to the public.
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.