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Date Published: 09/08/2024

Andalucía tourist arrested for vandalising ancient cave art for a photo

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The hapless holidaymaker sprayed the historical Jaén site with water so it would look better in his snaps

Andalucía tourist arrested for vandalising ancient cave art for a photo

The Spanish authorities are investigating a man who damaged cave paintings in Jaén which are several thousands of years old by dousing them in water. According to the Guardia Civil, the 39-year-old tourist drenched the ancient art so that it would look clearer in his Facebook photos.

The paintings, which are located at several different points of the Sierra Sur de Jaén, are protected in Spain's heritage register, and the man is being investigated for a crime against historical heritage, the official statement said.

Apparently, the alleged vandalism occurred in May, by the details have only been released now.

“The photographs show that water has been poured over the cave paintings, wetting them to see them better and capture a clearer image,” a spokesperson from the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Guardia Civil explained.

The cave paintings were made on limestone, which contains water-soluble salts. When water is poured on the paintings, these salts dissolve and come to the surface when the water evaporates, leaving a crust that causes “irreparable damage” to the paintings, the officer added.

Law enforcement officials responsible for protecting Spain's historic heritage have called on residents to report any signs of damage or vandalism to the cave paintings.

In other news: West Nile virus from mosquitoes spreads through Andalucía

Images: Guardia Civil

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