Less than 100 meters from residential homes in a Sydney suburb is a stunning archaeological find: ancient Aboriginal rock art.

The site was discovered by bush regeneration workers when they were clearing old vines and noxious weeds along creek banks. Sydney Water and the Office of Environment and Heritage were tasked with finding, cataloging and preserving sites that have a special significance to the Aboriginal community.

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The artwork displays a series of ancient hand stencils, either white or red in color; motifs representing eels; a crescent moon on rock faces and overhangs on land owned by Sydney Water. It's believed that the rock art site is 20,000 years old.

Visitors will see this priceless legacy from the oldest continuous culture on Earth that's also a significant archaeological find.

Yvonne Kaiser-Glass, Sydney Water's archaeologist, said the rock art was discovered in July. Her office immediately informed the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and the NSW Office of Environment.

"This area may have been a birthing site for Aboriginal people because it's so close to a freshwater supply. There are more than 20 hand stencils created by people mixing the colored clay with water in their mouths and then spraying it on their hands while they were pressed against the rock," said Kaiser-Glass.

She added that overhangs that contain the artworks were overgrown with vegetation, making it difficult to guess how many people actually saw them in the past.

Meanwhile, the northern bank of the creek has stencils of at least one group of people. Researchers believe the Kamerigal people, a clan of the Eora nation, did the ancient artwork.

"The hand stencils are rare in Sydney. The area is known more for its rock engravings so this is a significant archaeological and cultural discovery.

"Our role now is to protect and preserve this site so we can share it with future generations," Mr Moran said.

TagsAncient art treasures, Aboriginal Rock Art, ancient hand stencils, hand stencils, ancient treasure, Modern graffiti, hand paintings, heritage site, ancient art, art work