Abstract
p. 352-353
Texte intégral
1Organized through the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Communication, the symposium “Lascaux and Preservation Issues in Subterranean Environments” represents the strong commitment of the French government to protect this heritage, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. The goal of this event is to clearly present the research and other activities conducted at Lascaux since the climatic crisis in 2001, and to submit this work to the expertise of the international community. The results of research conducted at Lascaux are also confronted with those obtained in other countries at analogous sites or monuments, and with the solutions that have been adopted. The debates thus play a significant role and are transcribed in their entirety following the presentations. It is hoped that these confrontations will contribute to the definition of rules for the management and conservation of decorated sites, addressing both treatment techniques and ethical principles.
2Part One
Conservation and Research at Lascaux
3Discovered in September 1940, Lascaux Cave was classified and protected under the title of Historic Monuments in the same year. It was nonetheless opened to the public in 1948 after extensive modifications that caused a profound destabilization of its bioclimatic equilibrium. Significant environmental disorders (“white disease” and “green disease”) led to its closing to the public in 1963. After returning to an apparently normal state from 1976 to 2001, a new crisis arose (“white molds”), followed by the crisis of 2007 (“black stains”). At each stage in the history of the cave, the French government has drawn upon the scientific resources necessary to optimally ensure its preservation (Chapter 1). Following the crisis of 2001, the Lascaux Cave Scientific Committee was formed under the direction of Marc Gauthier. It has three missions: to realize a complete diagnosis of the condition of the cave, to propose solutions to the anomalies observed and to develop procedures for the long-term maintenance of appropriate conditions in the cave. This committee has coordinated the scientific research necessary to understand the functioning of the cave and to create the tools required to ensure its continued health. All of this work and the actions of the committee have today culminated in the “sanctuarization” of the entire hill on which Lascaux is located, which is one element of the global conservation plan adopted in 2004 (chapter 2). Following the presentations, the debate with the experts and other participants addresses the climatic regulation systems successively installed in the cave between 1947 and 2001, as well as the mode of functioning of the scientific committee (chapter 3).
4Part Two
The Geologic and Climatic Environment: a Determining Role
5Lascaux Cave is very fragile due to its shallow depth underground, small dimensions and high CO2 levels. Research conducted since 2003 on the functioning of the epikarstic system in which the cave is located is thus crucial for understanding climatic changes in the cave (chapter 4). The rockfalls that resulted in its original sealing off, the role of the temporary groundwater table, the modifications realized to allow public access and the successive climatic regulation systems are all elements that must be taken into account to understand the interior climatic changes and the problems that appeared in 1963, as well as in 2001 (chapter 5). More recently, the Lascaux Simulator has allowed researchers to model the climatic functioning inside the cave. Using this preventive conservation tool, it is possible to measure the role played by numerous natural and anthropogenic parameters in changes to the internal climate and to test various possibilities for modifications to the climatic assistance system, as well as the impact of human presence and the feasibility of certain modifications to the cave (chapter 6). The cave of Altamira, which has several analogous characteristics —shallow depth and karstic system, deterioration of some of its parietal art works, high visitor levels until its closing in 1977—has been the object of climatological, hydrogeological and microbiological studies since 1993. The complete closing of this cave and the preservation of its surrounding environment constitute the basis of the protection system implemented at this site (chapter 7).
6Following the presentations, the debate addresses the notions of climatic equilibrium and the representivity of the data generated by the Lascaux Simulator, as well as the role of the replacement of the climatic regulation system in the appearance and development of the recent problems (chapter 8).
7Part Three
Microorganisms in Subterranean Environments
8Microbiology is the second main approach implicated in the conservation of Lascaux Cave. In the long term, it consists of fundamental research with the aim of understanding the microbial ecology of the cave, and in the short term, the development of treatments combining efficacy and innocuity, which are indispensable in the face of a crisis. The Laboratoire de recherche des Monuments historiques assumed the task of identifying the strains responsible for the contaminations in 2001 (Fusarium solani, Glyomastix and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and 2007 (Ulocladium, Scolecobasidium and Verticillium), as well as the search for appropriate treatments, in collaboration with the Scientific Committee (chapter 9). At the time of the contamination in 2001, there was no reference base of the allocthonous microorganisms of Lascaux Cave. It was thus essential to identify the microorganisms based on their morphological and molecular criteria. This work revealed a great diversity of genera and species. More recently, the evolution of the structure of the microbial communities was correlated with a study of the microclimate (chapter 10). The example of the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora tumuli in Japan illustrate a particular treatment of a contamination similar to that of Lascaux. Once the causes of this disorder (high humidity and temperatures, disturbances caused by construction) had been identified, an in situ treatment was attempted. When the problems persisted, the solution of dismantling and then reconstructing the monuments in a location that could be controlled was adopted (chapter 11).
9Following the presentations, the debate critically assesses the techniques used to identify the organisms and the representivity of these identifications. The role of biological diversity is explored in terms of the possible effects of treatments on its augmentation and the question of the anthropogenic origin of the microorganisms that are currently present in the cave, especially those at the origin of the disorders of 2001 and 2007 (chapter 12).
10Part Four
The Conservation and Valorization of Decorated Caves: a Challenge for World Heritage
11This issue was addressed through the example of caves in northern Spain that have been subjected to risks of both natural and anthropogenic origins, such as the competition for land use or modifications to facilitate tourist activities. A combination of protection measures and studies to understand the functioning of these caves are necessary. They constitute the basis of a community management plan with the goal of optimally preserving these sites through a collaboration of all of the actors concerned (chapter 13). Starting from the Spanish example, the debate addresses the relationship between the preservation of caves and their adaptation for presentation to the public. A closer collaboration between the State and local governments and private owners would he highly favorable in this context. Concerning Lascaux in particular, the experts consider that despite the currently difficult conditions, the cave is not in a state of peril as is defined by the criteria of UNESCO. The situation is nonetheless complex since a decorated cave constitutes both a monument and an element of the natural environment. Research and modifications dedicated to its conservation therefore require an interdisciplinary approach. On this basis, the Ministry of Culture has renewed its short and long term commitments and affirms to the international community that it will assume the responsibility of protecting Lascaux Cave in a spirit of total transparency.
12Results, Prospects and Conclusions
13In his closing address, the chairman of the symposium summarizes the results obtained and proposes recommendations for the future. He reminds us that the conservation of Lascaux Cave is a major priority for the French government. The “sanctuarization” of the hill of Lascaux, as well as the appointment of a new scientific committee, which is perceived as an independent, international and interdisciplinary body, are tangible proofs of this commitment. The presentations and debates contributed to clarifying the real assaults suffered by the cave—which is nonetheless not in “danger of death”, as has been claimed elsewhere. The situation is nonetheless complex and difficult: Lascaux Cave constitutes a vulnerable environment whose condition sometimes requires urgent decisions to be made. Several of the complementary research orientations followed until now were presented. For any of these to be effective, however, the systems for collaboration between specialists and the management of the innumerable data collected must be improved. In the end, to ensure the survival of Lascaux and other decorated sites, the main condition remains to limit the impacts of human activities on these sites and their surrounding environments.
14Traduction / Translation
Magen O’Farrell
15Préhistorienne, spécialisée en technologie préhistorique, ancienne élève de l’université de Pennsylvanie (États‑Unis) et de l’université Bordeaux 1 (France), associée au laboratoire « De la Préhistoire à l’Actuel, cultures, environnement, anthropologie » (Pacea ; UMR 5199 : CNRS, ministère de la Culture et université Bordeaux 1). Traductrice spécialisée en archéologie.
16Archaeologist, specialist of prehistoric technology, former student of the University of Pennsylvania (USA) and the Bordeaux 1 University (France), affiliated with the From Prehistory to Today, Cultures Environment and Anthropology Laboratory (PACEA; UMR 5199: CNRS, Ministry of Culture and Bordeaux 1 University). Translator specialized in archaeology.
17Révision / Revision
Yann-Pierre Montelle
Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence Licence OpenEdition Books. Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont « Tous droits réservés », sauf mention contraire.
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