ABSTRACT
We present a preliminary study of mineral deposits on the Upper Paleolithic wall paintings at Kapova Cave associated with Needle-Fiber Calcite (NFC). Growth of NFC plays a crucial role in the processes of mineral formation on cave paintings. NFC-mineralization damages the state of conservation of the paintings at the western wall of the Signs Chamber by the redistribution of pigment particles in the mass of newly formed minerals. This report discusses the hypothesis of abiotic and biogenic genesis for needlefiber calcite.
