Indonesia wildfires threaten world’s oldest cave paintings
Severe wildfires in Indonesia, exacerbated by El Niño, are threatening ancient cave paintings in South Sulawesi that date back over 67,000 years. Researchers warn that smoke and heat from the fires could accelerate the deterioration of these prehistoric artworks.
Why it matters
The potential loss of some of the world's oldest human art represents a significant threat to global cultural heritage and archaeological history.
Indonesia wildfires threaten world’s oldest cave paintings left A rock painting at a cave in Maros-Pangkep, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, October 12, 2026. Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/1zpedu/article71619009.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-10-23T060013Z_305131598_RC2D1OA9NFBD_RTRMADP_3_ASIA-WEATHER-INDONESIA-CAVE.JPG National Research and Innovation Agency A rock painting at a cave in Maros-Pangkep, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia, October 12, 2026. National Research and Innovation Agency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. Near the Maros-Pangkep cave, firefighters worked to put out fires as smoke drifted over the dramatic karst landscape that is a defining feature of the national park and UNESCO Global Geopark surrounding the cave MAROS-PANGKEP The world's oldest cave paintings on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi are under threat as heat and smoke from the country's worst wildfires in more than a decade risk accelerating the deterioration of the more than 67,000-year-old works of art, researchers said.
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