Final answer:
The earliest known cave paintings, found in a cave in Spain attributed to Neanderthals, date back around 65,000 years. Other significant early works include the paintings in the Chauvet Cave in France from more than 30,000 years ago and those in Borneo dating back to approximately 40,000 years ago.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earliest Cave Paintings by Early Humans
Humans made their first cave paintings at least 40,000 years ago. This timeline is supported by the discovery of cave art in Kalimantan, Borneo from around 40,000 years ago and subsequent phases dating to about 20,000 years ago. Additionally, the Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave in France houses paintings that have been dated to more than 30,000 years old, and the Lascaux cave paintings in France are dated to around 15,000-17,000 BCE.
However, a significant discovery that has challenged previous assumptions is the cave paintings in Spain that have been attributed to Neanderthals and dated to about 65,000 years ago. This pushes back the known date for the earliest cave paintings and demonstrates that the ability to create art was not exclusive to modern humans (Homo sapiens).
The reasons behind the creation of these paintings vary; some might have had religious significance or been part of rituals, others could have been used for communication purposes, indicating hunting notes or dangers, while some could simply be a form of artistic expression. The subjects of the paintings often included animals found in the region or symbolic representations important to the people at that time.