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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
A near-continuous archaeological record of Pleistocene human occupation at Leang Bulu Bettue, Sulawesi, Indonesia
PloS one, Vol.20(12), pp.1-51
23/12/2025
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Abstract
Prior research has indicated that the Indonesian island of Sulawesi was host to archaic hominins of unknown taxonomic affinity from at least 1.04 million years ago (Ma), while members of our own species (Homo sapiens) were probably established on this Wallacean landmass from at least 51.2 thousand years ago (ka), and possibly as early as 65ka. Despite this, the paucity of well-dated Pleistocene archaeological sites from Sulawesi means that very little has been known about the pattern and timing of early human occupation of the island, including whether there is any evidence for overlap between archaic hominins and modern humans, and when and how the former went extinct. Here, we report the results of multiple seasons of deep-trench excavations at Leang Bulu Bettue, a limestone cave rock-shelter complex in the Maros-Pangkep karst region of South Sulawesi. Leang Bulu Bettue is the only site presently known on the island with an
archaeological record ranging in age from the Middle to Late Pleistocene to late Holocene periods. Investigations at this site since 2013 have revealed an extensive sequence of stratified deposits down to a depth of about 8 m below the surface. Notably, there is evidence for animal butchery and stone artefact production including a stone ‘pick’ at around 132.3–208.4 ka followed by a major shift in human cultural activity during the Late Pleistocene. By around 40 ka, an earlier occupation phase (Phase I) characterised by a straightforward cobble-based core and flake technology and faunal assemblages dominated by extant dwarf bovids (Bubalus sp., anoas), but including now-extinct proboscideans, had been replaced by an entirely new occupation phase (Phase II) with a markedly distinct archaeological signature, including the first evidence for artistic expression and symbolic culture. We consider the implications of this behavioural disconformity for our understanding of the history of humans on Sulawesi, including the possibility it reflects the replacement of archaic hominins by modern humans.
Details
- Title
- A near-continuous archaeological record of Pleistocene human occupation at Leang Bulu Bettue, Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Creators
- Basran Burhan - Griffith UniversityBudianto Hakim - PKRASIwan Sumantri - PKRASSuryatman - PKRASAndi Muhammad Saiful - PKRASAdhi Agus Oktaviana - Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi NasionalRatno Sardi - PKRASHasliana - PKRASMuhammad Ramli - Balai Pelestarian Cagar Budaya (BPCB)Linda Siagian - Indonesian Coral Reef FoundationAndi Jusdi - PKRASAbdullah - BPKWFardi Ali Syahdar - Yayasan Bumi Toala Indonesia (Indonesia)Hamrullah - Korps Pencinta Alam Universitas Hasanuddin (Indonesia)Imran Ilyas - BPKWPutra Hudlinas Muhammad - The National Museum of Ethnology (Japan)Sofyan Setia Budi - Indonesian Association of Archaeologists (IAAI) (Indonesia)Nur Ihsan Djindar - PKRASShinatria Adhityatama - Griffith UniversityRustan Lebe - PKRASMarlon N. R. Ririmasse - PKRASIrfan Mahmud - Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi NasionalAkin Duli - PKRASYinika L. Perston - University of New EnglandMark W. Moore - University of New EnglandMariana Sontag-González - University of WollongongBo Li - University of WollongongGerrit D. van den Bergh - University of WollongongMaxime Aubert - Griffith UniversityRainer Grün - Australian National UniversityDavid P. McGahan - Griffith UniversityMichelle C. Langley - Griffith UniversityEmma C. James - Everick Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Australia (Australia, Brisbane)Tiina Manne - The University of QueenslandIan Moffat - Flinders UniversityBrian Jones - University of WollongongAdam Brumm - Griffith University
- Publication Details
- PloS one, Vol.20(12), pp.1-51
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS); SAN FRANCISCO
- Grant note
- Wenner-Gren FoundationGriffith UniversityAustralian Research Council: DE130101560
Australian Research Council grants DE130101560 and FT160100119 awarded to A.B. and DE160100703 awarded to I.M., with additional support provided by the Wenner Gren Foundation (Post-Ph.D. grant) and Griffith University.
- Identifiers
- 991013337876402368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Burhan et al.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article