Central Idea

Unique prehistoric rock art has been found in the Andriamamelo Cave in western Madagascar, marking a first for the island.
It reveals pictorial art with nature, human-like, and animal-like figures.

Andriamamelo Cave Art: Key Features

Beyond Basic Symbols: Previously, Madagascar’s rock art mainly featured basic symbols. The new findings depict more complex scenes and figures.
Egyptian Religious Motifs: Some scenes bear a resemblance to motifs from Egypt’s Ptolemaic period (300-30 BCE). Major images hint at Egyptian deities like Horus, Thoth, Ma`at, and Anubis.
Ethiopian and Afro-Arab Connections: Symbols and writings suggest cultural links to the Ethiopian and Afro-Arab worlds.
Borneo Cave Art Style: The art shares similarities with a two-millennia-old cave art style from Borneo.
Depiction of Extinct Animals: The art may depict at least three extinct animals of Madagascar, including a giant sloth lemur, elephant birds, and a giant tortoise.
Mysterious M-Figures: The ubiquitous M-shaped symbol matches the Amharic alphabet’s “hawt” and is linked to the concept of the “breath of life” in some Austronesian languages.
Absence of Modern and Religious Symbols: The art lacks Christian, Muslim, Hindu symbols, and modern motifs, indicating its ancient origins.

Difficulty in Dating: Direct dating of the cave art is challenging due to the inorganic nature of the black pigment.
Estimated Age: The presence of extinct animals and absence of modern symbols suggest the art could be around 2,000 years old.
Potential Historical Evidence: The art might provide insights into who colonized Madagascar and when.