Pathogenic microorganisms related to human visits in Altamira Cave, Spain

Research in Altamira Cave, Spain, reveals a rich diversity of cultivable microscopic fungi linked to human visits, including 16 species of Aspergillus from cave sediments and six from cave air, with one novel species identified. Unlike previous studies that relied on atmospheric spore capture without cultivation, this study used gravity settling for airborne fungi and dilution plate methods for sediment samples, yielding lower but more precise CFU counts. Comparisons with outdoor soil and air samples highlighted the unique fungal spectrum influenced by human activity in the cave environment, providing critical insights into microbial dynamics in UNESCO-listed paleolithic sites.

Jurado, V., Laiz, L., Sanchez-Moral, S., & Saiz-Jimenez, C. (2014). Pathogenic microorganisms related to human visits in Altamira Cave, Spain. The Conservation of Subterranean Cultural Heritage, 229–238. https://doi.org/10.1201/b17570-28