Astronaut Sculpture on Ancient Spanish Cathedral - Help needed!

[AlexanderLight]

An astronaut carving is visible on a 12th century cathedral in Salamanca, Spain. The ancient religious building was finished in 1102 AD.

Allegedly, the astronaut carving was added in 1992, during the restoration work. The man responsible with the work is named Jeronimo Garcia, but I was not able to find any details about him.

This theory was launched by a Portuguese article from September 2006 and now presented as fact by Wikipedia, which quotes from it.

In order to solve this enigma, I need a little help from someone.

To Confirm the theory I need:
- A 1992-1993 article written in Spanish, that backs up this story;
- Or a picture prior to 1992 showing this section of the cathedral, but without the astronaut;

To Infirm it:
- A picture prior to 1992 which shows the astronaut (color or black and white);
- An article (online or newspaper) mentioning the astronaut, prior to 1992;
- A fragment from a book written before 1992, mentioning the sculpture;

Any constructive ideas are appreciated.

Click HERE to read the original article.

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LATER EDITED (02.09.2011)

I've just received the following comment on my blog:

"Hi there,

My name is Marc and I'm from Barcelona, Spain. I've been in Salamanca like a hundred times since I was a kid (I'm 27). The first time I visited Salamanca was definately before the Barcelona 1992 olympics, and I clearly remember how my father took me on his shoulders and showed me the astronaut carving.

I've also asked to my mother-in-law about the carving, and she told me that she visited Salamanca in the 1970's and the carving was already there.

So the Wikipedia "fact" seems to be a LIE."
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Things become interesting...

[ouporblowup]

that would be pretty amazing

theres no disputing that that is a modern astronaut

i guess well see

ooo

[KosmicKat]

Something to bear in mind: while a good restorative artist will keep his work as faithful to the original as possible, there is also a long tradition of artists including "drolleries" in their work which tend to be highlighted when the subject is particularly serious.

[folotheflo]

i would love to be informed that this was sculpted pre-1992, but i reckon it was'nt. i say this because on inspection, the block section with astronaut looks like fairly new stone, slightly lighter in colour, and no visble decay/chipping, compared to the block section above it.

[dima]

"The restoration of the Cathedral of Salamanca in 1992 integrated modern and contemporary motifs, including a carved figure of an astronaut. The use of this motif was in the tradition of cathedral builders and restorers including contemporary motifs among older ones as a way of signing their works. The person responsible for the restoration, Jeronimo Garcia, chose an astronaut as a symbol of the twentieth century. "

http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/salamanca.asp
http://www.portaldoastronomo.org/cronica.php?id=67

[<8>]

wow wow wow...Just amazing....

[AlexanderLight]

Dear dima,
Unfortunately, the article in the first link uses as the only source, the article in the second link. The second article is in fact the source for ALL articles 'debunking' the astronaut sculpture. Wikipedia also used it as their only source. Read my first post again, please.

BUT HERE IS AN INTERESTING COMMENT I RECEIVED ON MY BLOG:

"Hi there,

My name is Marc and I'm from Barcelona, Spain. I've been in Salamanca like a hundred times since I was a kid (I'm 27). The first time I visited Salamanca was definately before the Barcelona 1992 olympics, and I clearly remember how my father took me on his shoulders and showed me the astronaut carving.

I've also asked to my mother-in-law about the carving, and she told me that she visited Salamanca in the 1970's and the carving was already there.

So the Wikipedia "fact" seems to be a LIE."