newsweek.ro/istorie/picturi-rupestre-echi-de-30000

Ancient cave paintings in France, dating back 37,000 years, are protected by an invisible shield that prevents close study. Discovered in 1994, the Chauvet cave features remarkable depictions of Ice Age animals. Researchers cannot approach the walls due to valuable prehistoric footprints in the surrounding soil. To analyze the paintings, scientists use ultraviolet light from a distance, revealing a protective calcite layer that has formed over time. This natural coating has helped preserve the artwork from erosion and damage. Understanding this protective layer is crucial for assessing the paintings' conservation status, especially in light of past mistakes at other archaeological sites.