Spanish authorities have launched an investigation into an incident involving a tourist who poured water over a prehistoric cave painting in an attempt to capture better photographs for social media.
The 39-year-old man from Los Villares, in the province of Jaén, Andalucia, came under scrutiny by authorities in May. This was after he posted photos of his visit to the Sierra Sur de Jaén mountains on Facebook, the Guardia Civil reported this week. In the images, it was evident that the man had poured water over the ancient wall paintings. This was likely to enhance their clarity for his photos.
Cave paintings at risk of significant damage
The cave paintings, which are considered protected cultural heritage, are at risk of significant damage from water exposure. These artworks are created on limestone, a material that contains water-soluble salts. When water is applied to the limestone, the salts dissolve and later rise to the surface as the water evaporates. This process results in a crust formation that can cause “irreparable damage” to the paintings, the Guardia Civil explained. According to El País, vandalism has been a persistent issue in the Sierra Sur de Jaén area. Three years ago, some hikers reported damage at another site in the Despeñaperros Natural Park, where it had been spray-painted.
Other destructive tourists
However, Spain is not alone in facing the challenge of destructive tourists. In a similar incident in Florence, Italy, earlier this summer, a tourist climbed onto a statue of the Roman god Bacchus, kissing and groping the sculpture. The photos of her actions were subsequently shared on Instagram.
UNESCO
In 1998, UNESCO declared a total of 69 sites featuring prehistoric rock art in the Levantine and Schematic styles as World Heritage Sites. These sites are located in the mountains of Jaén, Granada, and Almería. The paintings, which are over 6,000 years old, are found on shallow shelters and vertical walls and are considered the earliest artistic expressions of humankind
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