In a landmark discovery, researchers from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa identified what appears to be the oldest known human-made sculpture depicting an animal. The artifact is a blue stingray statue representing the Dasyatis chrysonata species. It was fashioned from petrified sand and found along a coastline about 330 kilometers from Cape Town. The finding is documented in a peer-reviewed study published in a scientific journal focusing on rock art and related ancient representations.
The location of the statue places it within a region not far from Blombos Cave, an area renowned for its deep connection to early symbolic expression. Blombos Cave has yielded rock paintings that scholars date to tens of thousands of years ago, suggesting a long continuum of creativity in this landscape.
Dating and stylistic analysis indicate the statue was created during the Middle Paleolithic era, roughly 130 thousand years ago. Scientists determined it to be a deliberately crafted object by humans, evidenced by its near-perfect symmetry and the presence of distinctive engraved patterns that are unlikely to have occurred in nature alone. The work displays intentionality and skill typical of early artistic practice rather than random geological formation.
Archaeologists interpret this find as a window into the evolution of ancient art as early humans moved from abstract marks to recognizable representations of creatures. The sequence observed in this region suggests a progression from simple, sand-based expressions to more complex rock art and sculptural forms. This statue adds a tangible layer to our understanding of how early communities communicated ideas, shaped by the animals they shared space with and depended upon for survival.
The broader implication of the discovery is a clearer picture of how prehistoric artists began to express identity, belief, and experience through crafted imagery. The emergence of animal depictions marks a turning point in visual culture, illustrating the gradual shift from utilitarian or symbolic markings to more expressive, representational art. The find supports theories that art emerged in stages, with material choices and ecological context guiding the development of early creative practices that would echo through human history.
This research builds on a growing body of evidence about prehistoric art in southern Africa and beyond. It complements other archaeological work that traces how ancient people appropriated natural materials and refined techniques to leave lasting impressions on the landscape and in the record of human creativity. The ongoing study of such artifacts continues to illuminate the ways early humans interpreted and narrated the world around them. Attribution: Rock Art Research