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Life

Human pathogens threaten ancient cave art

By Andy Coghlan

20 May 2009

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine. — The prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux are under attack from a cocktail of damaging bacteria
(Image: LABAT Jean Michel / Sunset / Rex Features)

According to the researchers' analysis, Lascaux's management history is a catalogue of errors — According to the researchers’ analysis, Lascaux’s management history is a catalogue of errors
(Image: LABAT Jean Michel / Sunset / Rex Features)

The team think the bacteria started to arrive in 1940, when the caves were discovered and opened to the public — The team think the bacteria started to arrive in 1940, when the caves were discovered and opened to the public
(Image: LABAT Jean Michel / Sunset / Rex Features)

Over 1800 people visited each day, and their breath would have permanently altered the atmosphere and microbiology of the site — Over 1800 people visited each day, and their breath would have permanently altered the atmosphere and microbiology of the site
(Image: LABAT Jean Michel /…

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