Ancient Crisscrossed Lines Called World’s Oldest Drawing
This undated photo provided by Magnus M. Haaland in September 2018 shows researchers in the interior of the Blombos Cave east of Cape Town, South Africa. In a report released on Sept. 12, 2018, scientists say a tiny 73,000-year-old sketch found in this South African cave is the oldest known drawing. Magnus M. Haaland via AP
NEW YORK —It looks a bit like a hashtag, but it’s 73,000 years old. And scientists say this tiny sketch found in a South African cave is the oldest known drawing.
It’s not the earliest deliberate design; some abstract engravings are far older. But the drawing shows early humans in southern Africa could produce designs on various surfaces with different techniques.
