Given the advance state of decay, researchers warn, 'We are in a race against time.' Using high-powered microscopes, they discovered salt crystals growing on top of and behind ancient rock art was causing it 'to flake off the walls.' That long lucky streak may be running out: Huntley said the degradation of Sulawesi rock art will likely get worse 'the higher global temperatures climb.' More than 300 painted sites have discovered in limestone caves in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia (above). 'Tragically, at almost every new site we find in this region, the rock art is in an advanced stage of decay, said Indonesian rock art expert Adhi Agus Oktaviana, 'We are in a race against time.'

Source: Daily Mail May 17, 2021 20:45 UTC