A newly discovered rock art site at Bukit Batu Kepale, Bangka Island, Indonesia

This study presents a systematic documentation and preliminary analysis of the granitic rock art at Bukit Batu Kepale on Bangka Island, Indonesia. It aims to document imagery, classify motif types, and explore its cultural significance within the broader context of rock art sites in the western Indonesian region. Panel-based recording and visual analysis were conducted to identify the painting techniques, tentatively categorize the motifs, and document pigment variation. The painting techniques identified include thin-line, thick-line, outline, stick figures, and solid or filled-in approaches. Geometric and linear motifs dominate the assemblage, consisting straight and parallel lines, intersectional lines, zigzags, wavy lines, concentric forms, chevrons, and grids. Pigments are predominantly red, with limited occurrence of dark red, and rare use of yellow. Anthropomorphic motifs include stylized human figures, stick figures associated with rectangular zigzag lines, triangular-bodied forms, and representations suggesting human-animal relationship. Zoomorphic imagery is limited and comprises filled-in stylized figures, occasionally depicted in association with anthropomorphic forms. Floral or botanical motifs are rare and tentatively identified, including leaf vein-like patterns. Comparative analysis indicate that Bukit Batu Kepale rock art shares similar elements with other sites in Western Indonesia region, particularly in the use of geometric abstraction, figurative representation styles and the use of reddish pigments. At the same time, the site exhibits distinctive characteristics which suggest local development. As the first documented rock art site on Bangka Island, Bukit Batu Kepale may provide new evidence for early symbolic activity and contributes a new perspective of archaeological narrative of Bangka Island. However, further absolute dating is required to refine its chronological placement and cultural attribution.