Documenting the light sensitivity of Spanish Levantine rock art paintings

Microfading spectrometry (MFS) proves effective for assessing the light sensitivity of prehistoric rock art pigments, offering valuable insights into their photostability. A study at Cova Remígia, a UNESCO-listed Levantine rock art site in Spain, measured reflectance curves and evaluated pigment response to natural daylight exposure. Preliminary findings suggest MFS is a promising technique for studying the degradation risks posed by environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and rain—key concerns for preserving these culturally significant paintings. While advantages and limitations of the method are discussed, this approach provides a scientific basis for monitoring and protecting vulnerable rock art systems in Mediterranean Basin sites.

del Hoyo-Meléndez, J. M., Lerma, J. L., López-Montalvo, E., & Villaverde, V. (2015). Documenting the light sensitivity of Spanish Levantine rock art paintings. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, II-5/W3, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsannals-ii-5-w3-53-2015