How is soot and heat from wildfires affecting the integrity of rock art stones?

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Wildfires Cause Significant Damage to Bolivian Rock Art Sites

Wildfires currently burning across eastern Bolivia have caused substantial damage to irreplaceable rock art sites, with a dark layer of soot covering paintings and intense heat leading to the fracturing and collapse of stones. Archaeologists have expressed concern over the extensive and widespread impact on the region's rich heritage of rock art, which includes engravings dating back as far as 1,500 BC. A comprehensive assessment of the full extent of the damage can only be conducted once the fires have been extinguished.
Soot Deposits Mar Ancient Paintings

A primary consequence of the wildfires is the pervasive deposition of soot from the fires, which has completely obscured the ancient rock paintings. Danilo Drakic, chief archaeologist in the eastern Santa Cruz department, described this as a "dark layer of soot has covered all the paintings," indicating a significant visual and potentially chemical alteration of the artworks. These sites in Santa Cruz are known to contain a variety of paintings and engravings that span several millennia, making their preservation crucial.
Thermal Stress Leads to Stone Degradation

Beyond surface contamination, the extreme heat generated by the wildfires is directly compromising the structural integrity of the rock art stones themselves. The intense thermal stress has resulted in the stones breaking apart and, in some instances, collapsing entirely. This physical degradation poses a severe threat to the long-term survival of the engraved and painted surfaces, which have endured for thousands of years prior to these recent events.
Historical and Cultural Heritage at Risk

The affected rock art sites, particularly those near the town of Robore, contain engravings that are documented to date from 1,500 BC. This region has been historically significant, with the town itself being declared a "departmental capital of rock art" in May 2017. The current fires also endanger the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising six settlements established in the 17th and 18th centuries, underscoring the broad cultural heritage at stake.

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How is soot and heat from wildfires affecting the integrity of rock art stones?

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