A rare glimpse of our first ancestors in mainland Southeast Asia

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

Looking back at the entrance of Tam Pà Ling cave from the cave floor. The excavation pit is the the left of this location.

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

The extensive excavation pit in Tam Pà Ling reaching from the cave floor down to ~7 m.

Credit: Vito Hernandez (Flinders University)

The extensive excavation pit in Tam Pà Ling reaching from the cave floor down to ~7 m. The deepest pit is found at the rear close to the cave wall.

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

Looking down into the wide steep entrance of Tam Pà Ling Cave. The excavation pit is visible on the right-hand side.

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

The excavation pit in Tam Pà Ling cave framed by the cave entrance.

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

Taking sediment samples in the excavation pit in Tam Pà Ling cave, the team is with Flinders PhD student Vito Hernandez.

Credit: Kira Westaway (Macquarie University)

The thick 7 m sediments that form Tam Pà Ling cave floor. The extensive array of cave decorations can bee seen in the cave roof and floor.