Ancient cave paintings in Indonesia, some dating back up to 45,000 years, have been irreparably damaged due to climate change.
Found on the Maros-Pangkep site on Sulawesi island, the limestone cave walls are adorned with hand stencils of red and mulberry tint, in addition to paintings of native mammals and human-animal hybrids.
Scientists believe these to be the earliest examples of cave art in the world. A painting of a Sulawesi warty pig, for example, has been deemed by scientists to be at least 45,500 years old.
These creations are fading fast, thanks to climate change. Even worse, the deterioration is irreversible, says Jillian Huntley, an archaeologist who has led a recent study into the impact of the climate crisis in the region.
Working with Australian and Indonesian researchers, Huntley, who is also a research fellow at the Place, Evolution and Rock Art Heritage Unit at Griffith University in Australia, published a paper in Nature on Thursday detailing these concerns.
As part of their work, researchers examined 11 caves in the Maros-Pangkep site. The paintings inside range from 20,000 to 45,000 years old. Changes in temperature and humidity have had their effect on the paintings, and even archaeologists from the 1950s have noticed that the works had started to peel.
However, the latest study from Huntley and her team reveals that man-made climate change, which brings about more severe periods of El Nino, a period of warming in the region, is accelerating the damage of the art.
These episodes of El Nino bring about drought and monsoon rains, consequently causing salts and minerals to crystallize on the cave walls, essentially stripping the surfaces where the works reside. As these crystal salts contract and expand due to the weather changes, the pressure can cause cracks to the paintings.
“In almost all sites containing early art, the hand stencils and figurative motifs are heavily affected by exfoliation of the limestone cave wall and ceiling surfaces that comprise the artists’ ‘canvas,’” the study states. The authors added that evidence points out that the “rate of exfoliation is increasing.”
In addition, the researchers state that the caves have been monitored on the same level as other prehistoric caves in Europe. The caves in the west do not have to endure the vast fluctuations in weather as those in tropical regions.
Currently, the Balai Pelestarian Cagar Budaya cultural heritage agency has launched a monitoring programme aid for documenting the state of the paintings, though researchers have urged for more support of the initiative.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
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2 Kuwaiti teams
