The traces of prehistoric humans at the Goa Lawa site were first discovered in 1926, during the Dutch colonial period. At that time, an excavation conducted by L.J.C. van Es, a Dutch, uncovered ancient tools made of bone and stone. These stone and bone tools included arrowheads, flakes, and grinding stones. The bone tools were used for hunting, cooking, and making clothing.
Further excavations were carried out by P.V. van Stein Callenfels between 1928 and 1931. These excavations uncovered bronze and iron tools, modern pottery mixed with Neolithic tools in the upper layers. The lower layers contained bone and horn tools, such as pointed objects, horn daggers, and fishhooks.
Due to the large number and variety of bone tools found at the Goa Lawa site, researchers referred to these discoveries as the “Sampung Bone Culture.” The Sampung Bone Culture is a prehistoric human culture from the Mesolithic era, characterized by the use of bone tools. Because the large amount and varieties of tools found at the Goa Lawa site differed from those in other regions, the term "Sampungian" emerged.
Further research and excavations by Indonesian archaeologists have provided a clearer picture of the Goa Lawa site. In a 2008 excavation, human bone remains were found to the east of the cave at a depth of 3 meters. It is believed that more human skeletal remains could be found in deeper layers.
During a 2019 excavation, the National Archaeological Research Center (Puslit Arkenas) team found at least 50 stone tools, including pointed objects, serrated arrowheads, and 20 bone tools shaped like points, spatulas, and scrapers.
It is estimated that the Goa Lawa site still holds many prehistoric human remains. It is possible that the cave was inhabited by several generations of prehistoric humans due to its proximity to a water source, as indicated by the traces found in various soil layers. Continuous research and excavation are needed to study and reveal the history and habits of the prehistoric humans who once inhabited the Goa Lawa site.