In a remote limestone cavern within the Papua New Guinea Highlands, explorers have identified a massive gallery of ochre paintings dating back 12,000 years. The artwork vividly depicts several species of extinct megafauna, including the Zygomaturus, a large stocky marsupial previously thought to have vanished from the region much earlier.
The discovery provides visual evidence of the overlap between early human settlers and prehistoric giants. The paintings, executed in deep red and yellow pigments, show complex hunting scenes and ceremonial dances, suggesting that these extinct species played a central role in the spiritual and dietary life of Paleolithic New Guineans.