Spanish authorities are currently investigating a 39-year-old man from Los Villares, in Jaén province in Andalucia, southern Spain, for allegedly causing damage to cave paintings that are thousands of years old. The man reportedly poured water on the ancient paintings in an attempt to capture better photos for social media.
The cave paintings, located in various locations in the Sierra Sur de Jaén mountain range, are considered a part of Spain's protected heritage. The man uploaded photos of the wet paintings on Facebook, which caught the attention of the Guardia Civil. Following this, officers from the Guardia Civil's nature protection service (Seprona) initiated an investigation into the matter.
According to the statement released by the Guardia Civil, the act of pouring water on the cave paintings caused irreparable damage. The paintings, made on limestone, contain water-soluble salts that dissolve when exposed to water. As the water evaporates, these salts come to the surface, leaving a crust that harms the integrity of the ancient artwork.
The law enforcement agency emphasized the importance of protecting Spain's historical heritage and urged residents to report any instances of damage or vandalism to cave paintings. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for responsible tourism and the preservation of cultural treasures.
Similarly, reports of damage to historical objects have surfaced in Italy as well. In a separate incident, a 22-year-old German man was detained in Florence for allegedly damaging a statue in the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria. The tourist reportedly climbed a protective barrier around the monument to pose on the statue while his friends took photos, leading to his arrest by city authorities.
