Paintings crack; we can't visit the famous Lascaux cave paintings; and people put WHAT into artwork?

In this episode Dr C asks a characteristically profound question: "Why does everything get destroyed?"

To help us answer it, we're joined by Associate Professor Michela Gambino, conservation scientist and microbiologist. Together we explore the hidden battle being fought to preserve everything from cave paintings and ancient papyri to gravestones, galleries and family keepsakes.

Along the way we discover how moulds, algae, fungi and insects slowly break down the objects we value, why humidity keeps conservators awake at night, and what happened when thousands of priceless books were submerged during the devastating 1966 Florence flood.

Expect cave paintings, Viking ships, marble tombstones, museum disasters, UNESCO sites, conservation ethics, and some unexpectedly emotional conversations about what humanity chooses to save for future generations.

To contact Michela Gambino, who is a conservation scientist and microbiologist at the Royal Danish Academy's Institute of Conservation, email mgam@kglakademi.dk

Got a question for the show?

We want to know what fascinating questions you've been pondering lately. Let us know and maybe we'll feature it on a future episode. Email us at hello@talkingofscience.dk