The microbiology of Lascaux Cave

0346839 - BC 2011 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Bastian, F. - Jurado, V. - Nováková, Alena - Alabouvette, C. - Saiz-Jimenez, C.
The microbiology of Lascaux Cave.
Microbiology. Roč. 156, č. 3 (2010), s. 644-652. ISSN 1350-0872. E-ISSN 1465-2080
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521
Keywords : Lascaux Cave * microbiology * Paleolithic paintings
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 2.957, year: 2010

Lascaux Cave (Montignac, France) contains paintings from the Upper Paleolithic period. Shortly after its discovery in 1940, the cave was seriously disturbed by major destructive interventions. In 1963, the cave was closed due to algal growth on the walls. In 2001, the ceiling, walls and sediments were colonized by the fungus Fusarium solani,. Later, black stains, probably of fungal origin, appeared on the walls. Biocide treatments, including quaternary ammonium derivatives, were extensively applied for a few years, and have been in use again since January 2008. The microbial communities in Lascaux Cave were shown to be composed of human-pathogenic bacteria and entomopathogenic fungi, the former as a result of the biocide selection. The data show that fungi play an important role in the cave, and arthropods contribute to the dispersion of conidia.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0187757