Jakarta, Dec. 28 -- Culture Minister Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of conserving the Mananga Marapu Cave Site in East Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

During a visit to the Mananga Marapu Cave Site on Saturday (December 27), he said the cave preserves historical evidence of the development of Homo sapiens in East Sumba.

"The Mananga Marapu Cave Site in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, is believed to have served as a dwelling place and shelter for Homo sapiens," Zon said, as quoted in a ministry press release here on Sunday.

"At this site, many examples of rock art or cave paintings have also been found, particularly hand stencils made using red ochre," he said, referring to the cave paintings at the site.

The minister...