Fears have been raised that the Lascaux caves, one of the Dordogne‘s most significant attractions and one of the country’s most significant heritage sites, may be under threat.

Citing bureaucratic confusion and scientific fears, Sudouest.com has raised concerns that the Lascaux caves may become irrevocably damaged in the next few years. In less than a century, mold may rid France of the stunning artwork across the Lascaux cave walls – artwork which has stood for millenia, and stands as one of the most detailed examples of prehistoric art in the world.

The Lascaux caves are protected as a UNESCO world heritage site, and its artwork is estimated at nearly 16,000 years old. Although no member of the public has been able to enter the caves themselves since 1963, it’s major features have been faithfully reproduced in a nearby system of caverns commonly called ‘Lascaux II’, an extremely popular tourist attraction just 200 metres away from the original.

This step was taken so the paintings could be restored to their original state, and preserved for future generations. Unfortunately in 1998 the cave has suffered from a fungal growth across its walls, and in 2008 visitation was limited to just a single individual conducting climate observation for 20 minutes a week.

Lascaux’s fate has now been called into question by Sudouest.com, the local news service for the southwest of France. The site has publicly criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the state of the Lascaux by the country’s authorities.

In 2008, the Ministry of Culture boldly announced that “the cave of Lascaux is not in danger”. However scientists such as Michael Goldberg, former scientific director of the Pasteur scientific institute, have expressed their doubts.

Goldberg is worried by “very worrying signs, such as the rapid appearance of mold on equipment brought into the cave and yet thoroughly cleaned beforehand”.

These concerns seem extremely valid, as Sudouest reports that the Science Committee in charge of saving the Lascaux has yet to take any action – or even be officially defined. Sudouest.com says that neither the composition or the jurisdiction of the Lascaux Science Committee has made any progress since the early summer of 2009.

Michael Goldberg says that “these delays are losing precious time while the problems of the cave has never been so disturbing”.

For now, the Lascaux caves lie under the authority of local officials – and no co-ordinated attempt is being made to preserve them. 2010 will be the 70th anniversary of the cave’s discovery, and for anyone hoping to see the wonders of this attraction, sooner may well be better than later.

Related posts:

1. Dordogne cave art appears on BBC
2. Change of guards at UNESCO World Heritage Committee
3. The Dordogne spills with art and history
4. Eco-art exhbitions in Dordogne tourist office
5. 2.9m people visit the Dordogne each year for a french holiday