Altamira and its future

Lasheras, José Antonio; Heras, C. de las; Prada, Alfredo

doi:10.1201/b17570-20

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Their formation and morphology are both related to a wide range of geophysical and geochemical processes, the study of which provides valuable scientific information that allows us to understand, manage and effectively preserve the rock art contained in the caves. In the case of tourist caves, a management system based on observation and continuous analysis of environmental parameters is essential for their proper use and especially to correctly preserve the heritage contained within [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Radon and CO2 for the Identification and Analysis of Short-Term Fluctuations in the Ventilation of the Polychrome Room Inside the Altamira Cave

Sàinz

Fábrega

Rábago

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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A study is presented on rapid episodes of air exchange in the Polychrome Room of the Altamira Cave (Cantabria, Spain) using continuous monitoring of radon and CO2 tracer gases, as well as environmental parameters such as internal and external air temperature. For this, criteria have been developed to carry out an inventory of these types of events during the 2015–2020 period. Most of the degassing-recharging events occur over several hours or days, especially during spring and autumn. This means that the room can be significantly ventilated during these short periods of time, posing an exchange of energy and matter with potential impact in the preservation of the rock art present inside. In addition, the hypothesis that temperature gradients between the internal and external atmosphere is one of the main factors that induces degassing has been tested. To this end, correlation analysis has been carried out between the different magnitudes involved in this study, such as radon and CO2 concentrations, and air temperature gradients. A total of 37 degassing-recharging events have been analyzed for the 5 year studied period. The distribution of the duration of the events have been described, as well as that of the correlations between the degassing and recharge stages of each event, showing significant values of r coefficients for the correlation with temperature gradients between the internal and external atmosphere.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Radon and CO2 for the Identification and Analysis of Short-Term Fluctuations in the Ventilation of the Polychrome Room Inside the Altamira Cave

Sàinz

Fábrega

Rábago

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Subsequent interventions focused on trying to reverse the infiltration of rainwater through the network of fissures and fractures in the cave, which is the main problem for the conservation of the paintings. Artificial walls were built inside the cave (Figure 2a), some cracks were filled with hydraulic mortar, and a layer of Portland cement was spread over the exterior surface [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Remote-Sensing Techniques for the Preventive Conservation of Paleolithic Cave Art in the Karst of the Altamira Cave

et al. 2023

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Rock art offers traces of our most remote past and was made with mineral and organic substances in shelters, walls, or the ceilings of caves. As it is notably fragile, it is fortunate that some instances remain intact—but a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors can lead to its disappearance. Therefore, as a valuable cultural heritage, rock art requires special conservation and protection measures. Geomatic remote-sensing technologies such as 3D terrestrial laser scanning (3DTLS), drone flight, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) allow us to generate exhaustive documentation of caves and their environment in 2D, 2.5D, and 3D. However, only its combined use with 3D geographic information systems (GIS) lets us generate new cave maps with details such as overlying layer thickness, sinkholes, fractures, joints, and detachments that also more precisely reveal interior–exterior interconnections and gaseous exchange; i.e., the state of senescence of the karst that houses the cave. Information of this kind is of great value for the research, management, conservation, monitoring, and dissemination of cave art.

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“…(Saiz-Jimenez 2013 ). Actually, there exist several examples of how tourism can produce significant environmental impacts caused by the adaptation of caves for visits (Saiz-Jimenez et al 2011 ; Lasheras, 2014 ; Geneste and Mauriac 2014 ; Alabouvette and Saiz-Jimenez, 2016 ; Cigna 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environment-driven control of fungi in subterranean ecosystems: the case of La Garma Cave (northern Spain)

et al. 2021

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Airborne microorganisms can cause important conservation problems in caves with Paleolithic art and therefore the knowledge of cave aerodynamic is essential. La Garma Cave (Cantabria, Spain), an exceptional archaeological site with several levels of galleries interconnected and two entrances, presents a complex atmospheric dynamics. An approach including aerobiological sampling together with microclimate monitoring was applied to assess the factors controlling the origin of airborne fungi. Here we show that winter ventilation is critical for the increasing of Basidiomycota spores in the cave air and the highest concentrations were found in the most ventilated areas. On the contrary, Ascomycota spores prevailed in absence of ventilation. Besides, most Ascomycota were linked to insects and bats that visit or inhabit the cave. The combination of aerobiological and microclimate data constitutes a good approach to evaluate the influence of external climatic conditions and design the most suitable strategies for the conservation of cultural heritage in the cave environment.

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Altamira and its future

Cited by 5 publications

References 1 publication

Use of Radon and CO2 for the Identification and Analysis of Short-Term Fluctuations in the Ventilation of the Polychrome Room Inside the Altamira Cave

Use of Radon and CO2 for the Identification and Analysis of Short-Term Fluctuations in the Ventilation of the Polychrome Room Inside the Altamira Cave

Integration of Remote-Sensing Techniques for the Preventive Conservation of Paleolithic Cave Art in the Karst of the Altamira Cave

Environment-driven control of fungi in subterranean ecosystems: the case of La Garma Cave (northern Spain)

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