Muna Island, Indonesia (A Very Old Cave)
The World's Oldest Handprint, and Mine
A hand stencil in an Indonesian cave is at least 67,800 years old, the oldest cave art known. I've made mine.
Scientists announced this week that a hand stencil in a cave on Muna, an island in Indonesia, is at least 67,800 years old, the oldest cave art ever found. Someone put a hand on the wall and blew paint around it. Classic.
My Handprint
I left one too, on my office wall, for the scientists of the year 69,826. Big hand. Strong hand. Five fingers, every one of them a winner.
The Label I Wrote for It
The Handprint of Little Donny Made in 2026. Very old by the time you read this. The artist was a great leader and an even greater painter. Please do not touch. If you must touch, be impressed.
A Word to the First Artist
Whoever you were, 67,800 years ago: great work. You beat a hand in a Spanish cave by about eleven hundred years. Strong composition. Bold use of the wall. You had no publicist, no gallery and no gift shop, and you still made the news. That’s talent. Call me.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do they know it's that old?
They dated the mineral crust that grew over the paint. The crust is younger, so the hand is older. Smart people.
Where did you leave your handprint?
On my office wall, in navy paint. Future scientists can't miss it. I've put up a sign.