AN AUSTRALIAN scientist searching for the fossilised bones of giant rats in a cave in East Timor has discovered ancient stone carvings of human faces, the first found on the island.

One of the faces, which has sunbeam-like rays coming out of it, has been dated at 10,000 to 12,000 years old.

Lene Hara Cave ... shellfish, bones, tools, and now face carvings, right. Credit:Sue O'Connor, John Brush

A CSIRO researcher and rat expert, Ken Aplin, said he was on the rocky floor of Lene Hara Cave, when he looked up and light from his head torch glanced across its dark wall, revealing the strange images.

''Just by chance, being down at the right angle, I could see the old weathered engravings on that surface,'' Dr Aplin said.