Recording rock art in Apil Jongkok cave, East Borneo (2016) by Falentinus AtmokoArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The pattern of hand stencils in East Borneo is rich in sign symbols as part of the way prehistoric people of Borneo communicated in the past.
Dancing-like hand stencil arrangement at Jeriji Saleh Cave (2014) by Adhi Agus OktavianaArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The dancing scene
This group of hand stencils on Jeriji Saleh cave depicted in purple colour from hematite is 20,000 years old.
More hand stencil patterns in Jeriji Saleh cave, East Borneo
A group of hand stencils connected with lines at Tewet Cave, East Borneo (2014) by Adhi Agus OktavianaArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The Tree of Life
The decorated motif of hand stencils found in Tewet cave are astonishing. Dots and lines motifs connect the hand stencils may show that the drawing comes from one clan or family. This is unique to East of Borneo.
Afamous images of gecko in between of hand stencils with lines connection at Tewet Cave, East Borneo (2014) by Adhi Agus OktavianaArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The 'human-animal spirit'-like and lizard motif
This animal motif is in between hand stencils decorated with lines inside them. This is a famous image from Tewet cave.
More variations of hand stencils found in Tewet cave, East Borneo.
The name of Tewet cave came from the person who introduced the cave sites to the researchers. Tewet collects birds nest for a living, he introduced the rock art sites in Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat to the France-Indonesian team in 1995.
A half of hand stencils on horizontal position at Ham Cave, East Borneo (2014) by Adhi Agus OktavianaArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
The parallel hand stencils in Ham cave
This horizontal parallel of red hand stencils is rare in the world and also unique to East Borneo rock art.
Over more than 600 hand stencils are identified in Ham cave. The cave name Ham, like Tewet, comes from bird nest collector for a living and has years of experience in finding caves with rock arts in Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat area. The hand stencils decorated the cave not only on the ceiling and cave walls, but also covering stalactites in the cave.
Aerial Video Sulawesi 0330 (2022) by DominicArchaeological, Language and Literature Research Organization
Head to Sulawesi for more stories on Indonesian rock art
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