Impactos da comunidade liquênica e fúngica na arte rupestre do Sítio Arqueológico GO-Ja-02 da região de Serranópolis/GO

Abstract

Paintings and engravings in archaeological sites are subject to several problems which affect their preservation. In the rocky substrate where the paintings and engravings are found, natural processes of degradation occur, as well as changes resulting from abiotic factors such as climate and physical characteristics of the rocks and biotic factors such as wasp nests, termite galleries and animal and lichen waste. Lichens have great importance for the environment, as biomonitors, however when they develop on a rocky substrate with cave paintings they can lead to the destruction of this symbolic record of prehistoric cultures. The analysis of the occurrence and proliferation of lichens in the region of the Archaeological Complex of Serranópolis in southwest Goiás and the observation of how they affect the paintings leading to the loss of part of the record, constitutes a fundamental survey in the perspective of the preservation of rock art. This research was developed through field work with collection of biotic material and subsequent identification in the laboratory. Three genera of lichens besides one of fungus were identified. The collected data also made it possible to analyze how the physical parameters of the analyzed shelter and the substrate are affected by the occurrence and expansion of lichens, in order to seek to develop actions for the preservation of rock art.