A few years ago I remember reading about this discovery in one of my art and science magazines the newly found, oldest-known cave paintings in Indonesia. I thought, “Wow, the caves in Lascaux aren’t the oldest after all!” The article told the fascinating story of the researchers who uncovered these ancient drawings. And that is what has inspired me come up some art activites you could teach this year. So I want to share how teaching cave art can inspire children to make and learn about cave art.
I noticed online references and art lessons are still using outdated information about the Lascaux caves only, so here’s a fun way to learn about these new scientific cave findings of the “Pig”. I’d love to hear your feedback and see if you will use these art lesson ideas in your classroom.
History of Cave Art
The Story of the Sulawesi Cave Painting
Over 51,200 years ago, people living on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia made an amazing painting inside a cave called Leang Karampuang. The picture shows a wild pig and three small human-like figures, who may have been hunters.
Scientists think this is the oldest story painting ever found. Unlike simple handprints or shapes, it shows people and animals together, telling a story. Archaeologists used special laser testing on the thin mineral layers covering the paint to discover how old it really is. The results showed it was much older than any cave art found in Europe. Like waaaayyyy much older!
Why teach cave art?
- It shows that people were creative and intelligent even a very long time ago.
- It tells us that art began in many parts of the world, not just one.
- It reminds us that humans have always used imagination and skills to share ideas and feelings.
- It’s connected to multicultural arts
What Materials Did the First Artists Use?
Scientists studied the cave walls and bits of paint to find out how these early artists worked. They discovered that people used natural materials from the earth to make color.
Original Cave Art Colors (Pigments)
| Color | What They Used | What It Looked Like |
| Red ochre | Iron-rich clay or rocks | Deep red or brown |
| Yellow ochre | Clay with iron | Yellow or gold |
| Charcoal | Burned wood | Black or gray |
| White chalk | Soft limestone | Pale white |
They crushed the rocks into powder, then mixed them with water, spit, or animal fat to make paint.
Here is a related blog I have published online about how to introduce natural pigment painting to children: https://montessori-art.com/how-to-make-paint-inks-dyes-from-nature-montessori-activities
Tools and Techniques
These artists didn’t have paintbrushes like we do, so they used creative tools from nature:
- Fingers to draw and fill shapes
- Sticks or leaves to dab color
- Moss or fur as soft sponges
- Hollow bones or reeds to blow paint for hand stencils
- Torches for light while painting in dark caves
They painted on limestone cave walls, which held the color well.
Over thousands of years, a thin layer of minerals covered the art, protecting it from fading.
Make a Artful History Timeline
Your students can explore how art has changed over time by creating a timeline mural of ancient art around the world. You can do this together or have your students do their own.
Steps:
- Mark where ancient cave art has been found, Sulawesi (Indonesia), Lascaux (France), Altamira (Spain), and Patagonia (Argentina).
- Draw examples of early art, handprints, animals, people, and patterns.
- Add short captions describing what each piece shows about life long ago.
- End with the question: “What will our art say about us in the future?”
Goal: To see how art connects people across time and place. And how artist make from generation to generation. Also, compare how the art materials have changed. Read more at my blog about how paint has evolved over time.
This lesson can be used with your Great Lessons, showing how creativity and communication have been part of the human story from the very start. By creating an Artful History Timeline, kids can see how early humans used art to communicate—like handprints, animal drawings, and symbols that told stories about their lives.
It connects to The Coming of Humans by showing how we, as humans, have the special ability to imagine, create, and share ideas through pictures. This can also connect to The Story of Language by showing how art grew into symbols and eventually writing. This lesson helps kids see that art is not just a way to tell our history, but also a universal language that brings people together across time.
Cave Torch Painting
Here is something you can do with smaller children. Use a large sheet of paper or canvas. Maybe even poster board.
Materials: Sticks, sponges, natural colors, and brown paper
Directions: Paint with big movements in dim light, imagining torchlight in a cave.
Focus: Texture, motion, and use of space
Rock Story Stones
Painting rocks is one of the closest ways we can experience cave painting, especially if you can find limestone rocks! I’ve included lots of helpful links below to guide you on how to get started with rock painting.
Materials: Smooth stones, charcoal, or natural paints
Directions:
- Paint animals or symbols on the stones.
- Arrange the stones to create a story.
Focus: Storytelling and sequencing
Want to dive deeper into rock painting? Check out my two blogs on how to set up rock painting here:
Painting sticks and stones
Rock painting with acrylic
Cosmic Rock Painting – Montessori Great Lesson
5 Rock & Mineral Painting Ideas
Paper “Cave Wall” Mural
Materials: Brown paper, charcoal, and earthy paints
Directions: Work together to make a mural with handprints and animal drawings.
Focus: Teamwork, creativity, and storytelling
Help young children paint their hands and place on mural. Use eco friendly natural pigments.
Symbol Story Art
Directions: Create your own symbols to show feelings or ideas. Arrange them in order to tell your story.
Focus: Communication through images
In my Kids Painting Curriculum, I teach ancient Chinese scripts and symbols. You could explore something similar! Learn more about my 13 Ancient Chinese Script Brushstroke Lessons, which include beautiful photo examples to inspire your students. You could also study Native American animal and Hieroglyphic animal symbols.
Research Other Cave Art
Reflect and Compare
Take a look at cave art from Indonesia, Europe, and South America. How are they similar? How are they different?
Imagine: “If someone discovered your artwork 50,000 years from now, what would it say about you?”
Connect: Tie art lessons to geography (using maps), science (exploring minerals and pigments), and language (through storytelling).
Let me know if you like this and want more art ideas similar!
Warmly,
Spramani
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