Ancient 4,000-year-old paintings depicting wildlife were found inside a cave in Thailand.

Images of buffaloes, foxes, birds, and artistic depiction of the sun were found on the rock walls of the cavern in Khon Kaen, Thailand on February 14.

The mural was created using natural dye from plants and animal blood resulting to a variety of colours mainly red, blue, and yellow, which had faded over time.

The cave stood near a popular mountain trail frequented by tourists in Hin Chang Si View Point, Nam Phong National Park.

Apidech Meunnoi, director of Thai National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation said the cave art was between 2,000 and 4,000 years old.

He said: ‘The area within the national park was a favourable habitat for prehistoric people because it was close to food and water in the river.’

The agency director added that the paintings showed how the indigenous people lived in the mountains. Their primary food source was hunting animals.

Apidech said: ‘If you look closely, some of the artworks were presented with vertical lines to count how many animals they’ve hunted for a time period.

‘There were also pictures of huge bison on the walls. This means that they hunted these beasts to eat as the area was abundant with these type of animals before.’

Tourists can visit the murals, but the national park is already making arrangements to preserve the archaeological site.