[etherealmachine]

For an interesting contrast, check out the history of cave temples in the karst formations of Southeast Asia. I'm most familiar with those in Malaysia, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves. There it's common for religious groups (Buddhist or Hindu) to purchase a cave and develop it into a temple, complete with concrete floors and living spaces for the monks. It's a completely different attitude towards transforming yet conserving the natural environment that really shocked me coming from American caves where everything is "look but don't touch."