Science is now failing where the caveman’s instinct triumphed. After surviving undisturbed for 20 000 years, the prehistoric wall paintings at Lascaux in central France are threatened with irreparable damage by modern man’s attempts to save them.
When the caves were discovered in 1940 by four children falling into a hidden entrance, the paintings were perfectly preserved. Now scientists admit 150 frescoes of prehistoric beasts and hunting scenes, as well as hundreds of etchings and sketches, have developed mould — some of it due to the use of modern products intended to kill fungi.
Isabelle Pallot-Frossard, director of a Paris laboratory, says the use of powerful chemicals to stop the paintings from being covered with mould has seriously unbalanced the ecosystem.
‘All except the most robust forms of fungi were killed off during treatment,’ she said. ‘These have dominated the weaker species and thrived. We are now searching for a way of redressing the biological balance.’
The caves provided a natural conservation area for art produced over 2 000 – 3 000 years. Lascaux was closed in 1963 after the colour of the frescoes began to alter – changes in the atmosphere caused by the breath of visitors and the use of artificial lighting were blamed. Green moss had also begun to grow on the paintings.
A replica of the long, tube-like gallery in the cave was opened in 1983 and attracts about 400 000 visitors a year.
After the first reports of deterioration were published seven years ago, a computer-controlled air conditioning system was installed and access was restricted further.
Two years ago, scientists raised the alarm again. ‘There was a proliferation of mould on the floor and the walls,’ Jean-Michel Geneste, Lascaux’s curator, said. ‘It resembled little pockets of white fluff identified as fusarium solani, a very resistant mushroom. The spread was rapid so we called in scientists again. Unfortunately, the solution has complicated the problem.’
The specially prepared fungicide used to combat the white fluff at Lascaux has helped the growth of a new black mould. Pallot-Frossard’s laboratory is studying the new mould and which could be another unexpected combination of fungi and bacteria. ‘The grotte has yet to recover its stability,’ Geneste said. ‘Unfortunately other decorated prehistoric caves in Europe are showing the same signs.’
The threat to Lascaux has led to criticism of France’s historic monuments commission. The scientific magazine Recherche blamed a bureaucratic muddle for failure to protect the drawings, responsibility being shared by four different officials, as well as two rival scientific bodies.
The controversy follows a long-running row over the 1994 discovery of the Chauvet caves in the Ardèche, with wall paintings 10 000 years older than Lascaux.
The land’s owners received only about £3 000 in compensation when the caves were expropriated by the state. After a long court battle, the discoverer, Jean-Marie Chauvet, and three speleologists were awarded compensation of more than £8-million. – Guardian Unlimited Â