Liang Bua Cave
Liang Bua
A limestone cave where fossils of the Flores human, nicknamed the 'Hobbit', were discovered in 2003. It is a world-class palaeoanthropological site.
Liang Bua is a large limestone cave about 14 km north of Ruteng, with a wide mouth and a tall interior. In 2003, an Indonesian–Australian archaeological team discovered the remains of an ancient human species that stood only about one metre tall. Named Homo floresiensis and nicknamed the 'Hobbit', they caused a global sensation. Excavation squares and interpretive panels remain inside the cave, and local custodians can give simple explanations. Outside, a small museum displays replica skulls and excavated stone tools. Admission costs tens of thousands of Indonesian rupiah. From Ruteng, the drive takes about 40 minutes, and some stretches of road are narrow.
Opening hours
About 08:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Golo Curu Hill
- Ruteng Pu'u Village
- Ruteng Cathedral
- Cancar Spider Web Rice Fields
- Mount Ranaka
- Lake Ranamese
- Todo Traditional Village
- Wae Rebo Village