ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Arts

Do these handprints show humanity's earliest creative instinct?

Debate rages over whether markings can be considered art

Guangzhou University geologist David Zhang with the handprint and footprint "Art Panel" in Quesang, Tibet, made during Earth's last ice age, between 169,000 and 226,000 years ago. (Photos courtesy of David Zhang)

QUESSANG, Tibet -- Until recently, the ancient hand and footprints embedded deep into a boulder high up on the Tibetan Plateau -- their origins unknown but seemingly composed with deliberate intent -- have gone unnoted by academic researchers. 

Local villagers believed them to be made by yetis and -- at times -- even worshipped them as the markings of the gods.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more