Fadli Zon Emphasizes Nusantara as an Early Civilization Center

Recently discovered ancient rock art on Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, has confirmed Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon’s claim that Nusantara is one of the centers of early human civilization. The stencil art, at least 67,800 years old, was found in Liangkabori Village and published in the journal Nature. This is a collaborative research between the National Research and Innovation Agency and Griffith University in Australia. Fadli Zon stated that this discovery is proof of early cultural and symbolic consciousness in Indonesia, demanding a revision of the global cultural and human history map. This finding, approximately 1,100 years older than those in Spain and 16,600 years older than rock art in South Sulawesi, strengthens Indonesia’s position in world history. The importance of protecting this cultural heritage is emphasized by the necessity to transfer knowledge and interest in archaeology to younger generations. The Ministry of Culture and its international partners have been tasked with proposing this as a National Cultural Heritage site and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.