Ancient cave paintings in Chile 'irreparably' damaged by graffiti

Images of animals and boats lining Cuevas de Anzota thought to be around 1,400 years old

Harriet Agerholm @HarrietAgerholm 6 hours ago



Vandals have obscured the ancient work, prompting a backlash against tourists
Felipe Sandoval


Ancient paintings on the walls of the Anzota Caves in Chile have reportedly been “irreparably damaged” by vandals.

The Cuevas de Anzota, south of the city of Arica, is a cave system that was used by the indigenous Tiwanaku people in pre-Columbian times.

Images of animals and boats lining the caves are thought to have been painted around 1,400 years ago.

But vandals have obscured the ancient work with brightly coloured graffiti, prompting a backlash against tourists and criticism of authorities.

More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/anzota-cave-paintings-graffiti-chile-a8254086.html