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Observations of the condition of the walls of the Salle des Taureaux (Great Hall of the Bulls) in the prehistoric cave of Lascaux showed important moisture variations over time. These are related to the presence and activity of four discontinuities, or joints, within the Upper Cretaceous limestone. There are two distinct hydrogeological regimes in the chamber: one corresponds to a superficial water table with a significant discharge; the other is caused by the activity of the joints, which cannot be measured. Observations of the activity of two of the joints (nos 3 and 4)for the period 2000-2004 showed that the activity of the joints is not always in phase with that of the water table and that it cannot be directly linked to the rise of the water table. These two joints are responsible for the appearance of damp areas on the walls that are subjected to the microclimate in the chamber. If water evaporates from the walls, this could lead to crystal growth and the appearance of a calcite film obliterating the rock suite in general and, most importantly, the painted figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leye Cave (Dordogne, France) is a laboratory cave in the Vézère area, a region that contains some of the most famous rock art caves in the world such as Lascaux, Font-de-Gaume and Combarelles, and is listed as Human World Heritage by UNESCO. Leye Cave was selected because it is representative of painted caves, with respect to parameters such as its geological stage, the presence of water and carbon dioxide, the geological state of its walls, and the size of the cave. These wall states are studied to better understand the conditions of conservation of rock art caves without damaging them. The choice of an equivalent medium, i.e., a non-painted cave, was made to be able to conduct experiments or take measurements that would not have been possible in a rock art cave. The climatic conditions (temperature, hygrometry, etc.) monitored since 2011 are central to our understanding of the genesis and evolution of wall states. Leye Cave is sub-horizontal then descendant, forming a cold air trap. The phenomenon of condensation is thought to be important in the genesis of these wall states. Our article presents a model which describes the competition that exists between the conduction of the rock heating the air and the convection cooling the rock, in the area named the "Throne Chamber", located in the deepest parts of the cave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cussac cave was investigated to assess the cave air temperature variations and to understand its ventilation regime. This cave is located in an active karst system in the south west part of France. It has a single entrance and is considered as a cold air trap. In this study, air mass exchanges were probed. Measurements of temperature and Pco with a 30-min frequency were made in several locations close to the cave entrance. Speed of the air flow was also measured at the door of cave entrance. Results show that cave air Pco varies from 0.18 to 3.33 %. This cave appears to be a CO source with a net mass of 2319 tons blown in 2009. Carbon-stable isotope of CO (Cco) ranges from −20.6 ‰ in cold season to −23.8 ‰ in warm season. Cave air is interpreted as a result of a mix between external air and an isotopically depleted air, coming from the rock environment. The isotopic value of the light member varies through time, from −23.9 to −22.5 ‰. Furthermore, this study ascertains that the cave never stops in communicating with the external air. The ventilation regime is identified. (1) In cold season, the cave inhales at night and blows a little at the warmest hours. However, in warm season, (2) cave blows at night, but (3) during the day, a convection loop takes place in the entrance area and prevents the external air from entering the cave, confirming the cold air trap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lascaux cave, located in southwest France, is one of the most important prehistoric caves in the world that show Paleolithic paintings. This study aims to simulate the 3D geological environment of the cave by geostatistical modeling based on 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data. Seventeen ERT profiles were carried out resulting in 64,195 geolocated resistivity values, covering about 14,500 m 2 of the Lascaux site. From this dataset, 3D resistivity geo-model has been built by geostatistical method. We used geotechnical data from 36 boreholes and cone penetrometer tests to validate the geo-model. By modeling from 2D data, we can establish a good estimation of the 3D geological environment of the Lascaux site. Our results show that the site can be generally separated in two parts: the limestone promontory in the center and the detrital formations located in both east and west sides. There is a high contrast between resistivity of the two formations: 45 Ω·m (detrital formation) to 556 Ω·m (limestone) with a rough boundary. In the center, the limestone could also be separate into two parts: a superficial layer of weathered limestone (150 Ω·m) and a deeper layer with compact limestone (556 Ω·m). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this proposal is to present an original approach to the study and preservation of rock art caves. A multidisciplinary study of cave wall alteration will be performed to understand the impact of environmental context on the evolution of wall surfaces. The approach involves the choice of a cave with characteristics similar to painted caves in the studied area (Vézère Valley in Dordogne, France): e.g., cave wall alteration, lithology, morphology, etc. This selected cave is intended to become a laboratory cave, monitored for the acquisition of chemical, physical and biological environmental data on bedrock, air and fluids along with their characteristics. A cave without art or archaeological interest has been chosen specifically to conduct experiments, to make in situ analysis and to obtain samples. The results are to be completed by specific observations in several other caves and compiled in a database. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]