In some cases ancient artists tended to paint over older pictures which created many layers of paintings. Some of these paintings or engravings have been preserved by the help of preservation groups who make it their duty to protect rock art for generations to come. Mother Nature, although sometimes destroying artworks, could not destroy rock art works protected by overhanging rocks. Many of these rock art finds are nonetheless in danger of being lost forever. Weather conditions such as wind, rain, water and differences in temperature fracture the surfaces of rock and flake off and fade rock images.
Human vandalism has to share some part of the blame too.
Certain sites are located in national parks and are very easily accessible. People scratch, scribble and even paint over the art. In some extreme cases, certain individuals have been caught trying to remove rock art and severely damage it. Ignorance is usually to blame for these actions because sometimes people are not educated enough to know that their hands or other body parts contain natural oils that can damage the rock art. African rock art has been a significant piece of African culture for ages.