Archaeologists Unearth Mysterious Ancient Fingerprints in Hidden Dark Cave

Deep within the limestone caves of southeastern Australia, archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of “finger flutings,” delicate marks left by the GunaiKurnai people more than 8,000 years ago. These intricate grooves, created by fingers running along the soft rock in secluded, dark areas of Waribruk Cave, also called New Guinea II, serve as a powerful testament to the people’s spiritual beliefs and cultural practices.

While these finger flutings have been known to Australian archaeologists for decades, it is only in recent years that researchers have used modern tools, such as 3D modeling and high-resolution photography, to systematically document and study the site.

In the Abyss of the Cave

According to the discovery, recently published in the Australian Archaeology journal, the finger flutings were created deep within the cave, in areas beyond the reach of natural light. This remote part of the underground chamber was only accessible with the aid of fire, as evidenced by the discovery of tiny pieces of charcoal near the markings. The ritual of creating these markings is thought to be less about the design itself and more about the act of touching the sacred walls.

“New Guinea II Cave is a rare example of an Australian limestone cave richly decorated with finger flutings,” explained the authors of the study. “It is, however, more than this, as it speaks specifically of the gestures of GunaiKurnai Old Ancestors for whom this and other caves on Country held, and hold, special meanings.”

A Worldwide Tradition

Finger flutings, although mostly linked to Indigenous Australian cultures, are actually found all over the world. Similar markings have been discovered in caves across Europe, with some going back as far as 40,000 years.

In Australia, though, these flutings are some of the best-preserved, thanks to the steady conditions inside the rock shelter. Some of the marks in the location could date back 30,000 years, but researchers are still working to get more accurate dates.

“Recent methodological developments have enhanced our ability to record and analyze finger flutings in unprecedented levels of detail,” explained the researchers.

Creating these fingerprints seems to have been part of a ritual, different from other types of ancient rock art. Unlike paintings or carvings, finger flutings are subtle and short-lived traces that show a more personal connection with the environment. The research on the subterranean spaces where the flutings are found is still ongoing, with archaeologists continuing to study the site and uncover more using the latest technology.