CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

In the Ventania Hill System located in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, there is a type of monumental archaeological record remarkable characteristics a total of 39 sites (caves and/or rock shelters) have been recorded that present some type of rock art, together with 70 stone structures. Our studies started in 2004, involving observation, records and study of geophysical, geochemical, microbiological and human agents of deterioration. The presence of microorganisms forming biofilms on rocky surfaces causes alterations of cave art and stone structure. Additional factors influencing deterioration include microclimate, presence of water infiltration, cracking, rock exfoliation and superficial accretion of crusts, among others. Here, we show the results of preliminary studies. Surface samples were collected and counts of the various microorganisms in the biofiln made. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser microscopy (CSLM) were used to collect images (Fig.1 and 2 respectively).In situ microbial culture were produced (Fig.3), allowing us to consider the contaminated rock art in direct relationship with its environment.The rock surfaces are integrated into landscape, where topographical elements have recreated a new rock landscape, as well as the change arising from organizational aspects of the societies that produced the rock paintings. Biofilms may cause physical changes in pore size, fissures and mechanical fractures, chemical instability, surface discoloration, as well as other modification, resulting resulting in weakening of mineral structures and deterioration of the rock paintings. The aim of the research is to obtain an overview of the conservation of the rock art sites to allow the design of adequate protection policies.