Thai archaeologists have uncovered 29,000-year-old human remains at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, along with prehistoric rock paintings, Thai officials said. The discovery, made at the Rock Art Cave site in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, provides new insights into early human habitation in the region.
Khao Sam Roi Yot, meaning “Mountain with 300 Peaks,” is located 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Hua Hin. The park is known for its limestone peaks, scenic viewpoints such as Khao Daeng, and caves, including Phraya Nakhon, which houses an iconic pavilion. It also features Thung Sam Roi Yot Wetland, a rare biodiversity hotspot.
The Fine Arts Department of Thailand (FAD) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said the remains were unearthed during recent excavations at the cave, located about 125 meters (410 feet) above sea level. The cave has a 9.5-meter-wide (31-foot-wide) entrance leading to five chambers, three of which contain prehistoric paintings.
The excavation, led by the Ratchaburi Fine Arts Office 1 and park officials, began in 2022. The site has been of historical interest since 1996, when its rock paintings were first documented. A 2020 study on prehistoric settlements identified additional archaeological sites within the park, including the Rock Art Cave.
During the dig, researchers recovered shells, animal bones, plant seeds, and human remains buried approximately two meters (6.5 feet) underground. Among the finds was the skeleton of a child, estimated to be between 6 and 8 years old at the time of death. Samples of charcoal and shells were sent to Beta Analytic Inc. in the United States for radiocarbon dating.
Findings indicate that the site was inhabited from around 29,000 to 11,000 years ago. The skeleton, found at the lowest level, is at least 29,000 years old, making it the oldest Homo sapiens remains discovered in Thailand. Further analysis is underway to determine a more precise age.
Experts say the discovery confirms long-term human habitation in the region and offers insights into prehistoric diets and environmental adaptations. Evidence suggests early inhabitants relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering, using tools made of stone, bone, and wood. The cave’s rock paintings and animal fossils provide a glimpse into an ancient ecosystem of forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
The skeleton dates to the Paleolithic era, which coincided with the Ice Age when glaciers covered much of the Earth and sea levels were significantly lower. At the time, the Gulf of Thailand was part of a larger landmass connected to present-day Indonesia, providing early humans with migration routes.
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The discovery at Khao Sam Roi Yot marks a significant milestone in the study of prehistoric societies in the Gulf of Thailand region. Scientists say the findings offer valuable information on how early humans adapted to climate fluctuations—from the Ice Age to subsequent warming periods that shaped the landscape into what exists today.
The Fine Arts Department said further excavations at the Rock Art Cave and other sites could shed more light on early human migration, social structures, and cultural practices in Southeast Asia. Archaeologists hope ongoing research will deepen understanding of the region’s prehistoric past and its lasting cultural heritage.
