Caves and bats: Morphological impacts and archaeological implications. The Azé Prehistoric Cave (Saône-et-Loire, France)
Lionel Barriquand|Jean‐Yves Bigot|Philippe Audra|Didier Cailhol|Christophe Gauchon|Vasile Heresanu|Stéphane Jaillet|Nathalie Vanara
The Prehistoric Cave at Azé (France) was divided in two parts by calcite flowstone. This isolated the innermost of cave from entrance, which remained connected to surface. Since closure, bats have not been able access beyond flowstone blockage. They present only entrance. byproducts released had a considerable effect on this entrance part. Gaseous exhalations changed composition surrounding atmosphere, leading development dome-shaped cupolas and other wall weathering features. Guano deposits built up causing formation aerosols acidic leachates. resulting corrosion limestone has led phosphate biogenic karst. rate retreat walls estimated 5 7 mm/ka. Corrosion also affected archaeological artefacts, as well any traces left humans or animals. Bioglyphs linked bears anthropic graffiti completely disappeared part used bats.
Geomorphology|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)