What can molecular microbiology tell us about Lascaux cave?

Abstract

Lascaux Cave contains paintings from the Upper Paleolithic periodo Shortly after discovery in 1940, the cave was seriously disturbed due to major destructive interventions (e.g. excavations, air conditioning, artificial light installation, etc.). In 1963, the cave was closed due to algal growth on the walls. In 2000 the ait conditioning system was replaced. In 2001, (a few months after that replacement), the vault, walls, sediments and soil were colonized by Fusarium solani. Later, black stains also appeared at the entrance, which extended in 2007 to the rest of the cave. Between 2001 and 2004, and again in 2008, the cave was treated with benzalkonium chloride. Recently, we have studied the microbial communitie in Lascaux Cave using molecular tools. We condude thact the indigenous bacterial community was replaced by microbial populations selecred for by biocide application and other major destructive interventions. In addition to the microbial populations, entomopathogenic fungi play an imponant role in the cave and arthropods contribute to the dispersion of spores and fungal development.