A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation
This paper addresses the conservation problems of the cave of Altamira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain, due to the effects of moisture and water inside the cave. The study focuses on the description of methods for estimating the trajectory and zones of humidity...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-01-01
|
| Series: | Remote Sensing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/1/197 |
| _version_ | 1797358220001411072 |
|---|---|
| author | Vicente Bayarri Alfredo Prada Francisco García Carmen De Las Heras Pilar Fatás |
| author_facet | Vicente Bayarri Alfredo Prada Francisco García Carmen De Las Heras Pilar Fatás |
| author_sort | Vicente Bayarri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper addresses the conservation problems of the cave of Altamira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain, due to the effects of moisture and water inside the cave. The study focuses on the description of methods for estimating the trajectory and zones of humidity from the external environment to its eventual dripping on valuable cave paintings. To achieve this objective, several multisensor remote sensing techniques, both aerial and terrestrial, such as 3D laser scanning, a 2D ground penetrating radar, photogrammetry with unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-resolution terrestrial techniques are employed. These tools allow a detailed spatial analysis of the moisture and water in the cave. The paper highlights the importance of the dolomitic layer in the cave and how it influences the preservation of the ceiling, which varies according to its position, whether it is sealed with calcium carbonate, actively dripping, or not dripping. In addition, the crucial role of the central fracture and the areas of direct water infiltration in this process is examined. This research aids in understanding and conserving the site. It offers a novel approach to water-induced deterioration in rock art for professionals and researchers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:58:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c60441afc1e74f4398e0cf599438051b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:58:43Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-c60441afc1e74f4398e0cf599438051b2024-01-10T15:07:57ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-01-0116119710.3390/rs16010197A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its ConservationVicente Bayarri0Alfredo Prada1Francisco García2Carmen De Las Heras3Pilar Fatás4GIM Geomatics, S.L. C/Conde Torreanaz 8, 39300 Torrelavega, SpainMuseo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, S/N, 39330 Santillana del Mar, SpainDepartment of Cartographic Engineering, Geodesy and Photogrammetry, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainMuseo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, S/N, 39330 Santillana del Mar, SpainMuseo Nacional y Centro de Investigación de Altamira, Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, S/N, 39330 Santillana del Mar, SpainThis paper addresses the conservation problems of the cave of Altamira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Santillana del Mar, Cantabria, Spain, due to the effects of moisture and water inside the cave. The study focuses on the description of methods for estimating the trajectory and zones of humidity from the external environment to its eventual dripping on valuable cave paintings. To achieve this objective, several multisensor remote sensing techniques, both aerial and terrestrial, such as 3D laser scanning, a 2D ground penetrating radar, photogrammetry with unmanned aerial vehicles, and high-resolution terrestrial techniques are employed. These tools allow a detailed spatial analysis of the moisture and water in the cave. The paper highlights the importance of the dolomitic layer in the cave and how it influences the preservation of the ceiling, which varies according to its position, whether it is sealed with calcium carbonate, actively dripping, or not dripping. In addition, the crucial role of the central fracture and the areas of direct water infiltration in this process is examined. This research aids in understanding and conserving the site. It offers a novel approach to water-induced deterioration in rock art for professionals and researchers.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/1/197data integrationmappingkarst systemrock discontinuitiescultural heritagerock art |
| spellingShingle | Vicente Bayarri Alfredo Prada Francisco García Carmen De Las Heras Pilar Fatás A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation Remote Sensing data integration mapping karst system rock discontinuities cultural heritage rock art |
| title | A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation |
| title_full | A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation |
| title_fullStr | A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation |
| title_short | A Multisensory Analysis of the Moisture Course of the Cave of Altamira (Spain): Implications for Its Conservation |
| title_sort | multisensory analysis of the moisture course of the cave of altamira spain implications for its conservation |
| topic | data integration mapping karst system rock discontinuities cultural heritage rock art |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/1/197 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vicentebayarri amultisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT alfredoprada amultisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT franciscogarcia amultisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT carmendelasheras amultisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT pilarfatas amultisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT vicentebayarri multisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT alfredoprada multisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT franciscogarcia multisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT carmendelasheras multisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation AT pilarfatas multisensoryanalysisofthemoisturecourseofthecaveofaltamiraspainimplicationsforitsconservation |