KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has emphasized the need for systematic conservation efforts at the Mananga Marapu Cave site in East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, to preserve its ancient paintings.

The Mananga Marapu Cave is considered an important archaeological site that provides historical evidence of Homo sapiens in the region. It is renowned for its ancient rock art, particularly red ochre handprint paintings that adorn the cave walls.

“The Mananga Marapu Cave site is believed to have been inhabited by Homo sapiens,” Fadli said in a ministry press release issued in Jakarta on Sunday, December 28, 2025. He added that numerous handprint paintings made with red ochre have been discovered at the site.

The minister stressed the urgency of protecting the cave from the impacts of climate change. “These caves are still regarded as a form of living heritage. Rituals are still performed here, and climate change may be causing the colors of the paintings and handprints to fade,” he said.

Fadli noted that preservation efforts could be strengthened if the site were designated as a cultural heritage site. He called for cross-agency collaboration to accelerate the designation process.

“Hopefully, the subdistrict administration, through a team of cultural heritage experts, can immediately designate the Mananga Marapu Cave as a cultural heritage site at the regency level. This will allow us to protect it without delay,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)