Spanish authorities are investigating an individual believed to have poured water over various ancient cave paintings in Andalusia to take clearer photos of the artwork for social media.
According to a statement from the Spanish Civil Guard shared with Hyperallergic, the 39-year-old man, a resident of neighboring Los Villares, reportedly posted his geotagged pictures from the caves in Sierra Sur de Jaén on Facebook sometime in May.
“The photographs showed that water had been poured over the cave paintings, wetting them with the intention of seeing them better and obtaining a clearer image,” the statement said.
These paintings in particular, found among the Alto Guadalquivir rock shelters, date back at least 6,000 years and were rendered onto the limestone walls of various cave sites throughout the Jaén area — home to dozens of prehistoric rock paintings that are officially recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of 1998.
Since the limestone is rife with salt deposits, the protected artworks are especially vulnerable to water damage as the salt dissolves on the surface during evaporation, crusting over and obscuring the pigments or potentially causing “irreparable” harm, the Spanish Civil Guard said.
The cave art in Jaén has been mistreated in recent history. In 2021, the historic Vacas del Retamoso paintings at the Despeñaperros Natural Park in Santa Elena were vandalized with spray paint.
Officials have launched an investigation into possible crimes against nationally protected cultural patrimony. Because the prehistoric paintings are also safeguarded under Spanish historical heritage laws, the alleged perpetrator may be subjected to hefty fines for his actions.
