Researchers have uncovered the oldest known evidence of lead pollution in the environment, dating back 5,200 years to ancient Greece. Sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea revealed contamination linked to silver mining and smelting practices. The study highlights the long history of lead pollution and its impacts on ancient civilizations.
Ancient Greece produced the earliest records of democracy, western philosophy — and, it turns out, lead pollution . Researchers studying sediment cores recovered from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea have found the oldest known evidence of lead pollution in the environment dating to around 5,200 years ago.That's 1,200 years older than the previous earliest recorded lead pollution , which was found in a peatbog in Serbia.
In antiquity, lead was released into the atmosphere as a byproduct of smelting ore for copper and silver. The toxic metal later condensed as dust and settled onto the soil. “Silver was used for jewelry, for special objects — but it wasn't found in a pure state,” but mined in ore combined with lead, said Heidelberg University archaeologist Joseph Maran, co-author of a new study The site with the earliest signs of lead contamination is located in northeastern Greece, near the island of Thasos. Prior archaeological evidence suggests Thasos was one of the region’s most significant sites for silver mining and metalwork, said Maran. “Lead released from smelting is the world’s first form of toxic or industrial pollution,” said Yale historian Joseph Manning, who was not involved in the study. The researchers found that levels of lead contamination remained fairly low and localized in ancient Greece, considered the cradle of European civilization, throughout the Bronze Age, the Classical period and the Hellenistic period. The Classical period is famous for Athenian democracy, Socrates and Plato, and the Hellenistic period saw Greek cultural influence peak across the Mediterranean region. But around 2,150 years ago, the researchers detected “a very strong and abrupt increase' in lead emissions caused by human activities across Greece, said co-author Andreas Koutsodendris at Heidelberg University. Around that time, in 146 B.C., the Roman army conquered the Greek peninsula, transforming the region’s society and economy. As Roman trade, colonies and shipping expanded across the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, demand for silver coins grew rapidly, requiring smelting that released lead, said Koutsodendris.Previous research – including an analysis of ice cores from Greenland – had detected high levels of lead across much of the Northern Hemisphere during Roman times. But the new study adds a more'specific and local picture to how lead levels changed,” said Nathan Chellman, an environmental scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was not involved in the research. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.How I'm preparing for my Spain trip in 2025—with Babbe
Lead Pollution Ancient Greece Archaeology Environmental History Metallurgy
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lead Pollution Linked to Cognitive Decline in Ancient RomeA new study reveals that lead air pollution during the Pax Romana led to an average IQ reduction of 2.5 to 3 points for the population.
Read more »
Ancient Roman Lead Pollution Dropped IQs, Researchers SayNew research reveals that lead pollution from ancient Roman silver smelters likely caused a significant drop in average IQ among the population. The study, using ice cores from Greenland as a historical record, highlights the widespread impact of industrial pollution even 2,000 years ago.
Read more »
Lead Pollution Linked to IQ Decline in Ancient RomeA new study suggests that lead pollution in ancient Rome may have contributed to widespread declines in IQ levels. Analysis of ancient Roman remains revealed high levels of lead in their bones.
Read more »
Lead Pollution Linked to IQ Decline in Ancient Roman EmpireA new study using Arctic ice core records reveals a correlation between lead pollution during the rise of the Roman Empire and widespread health decline. The research suggests that lead released from mining activities lowered the IQs of an estimated 80 million people.
Read more »
Rare 'Corinthian' helmet from ancient Greece is up for auction, and stunningly preservedTom Metcalfe is a freelance journalist and regular Live Science contributor who is based in London in the United Kingdom. Tom writes mainly about science, space, archaeology, the Earth and the oceans. He has also written for the BBC, NBC News, National Geographic, Scientific American, Air & Space, and many others.
Read more »
The oldest evidence for lead pollution comes from ancient GreeceResearchers have found the oldest known evidence of lead pollution dating to around 5,200 years ago in ancient Greece. That’s 1,200 years older than the previous earliest recorded lead pollution, which was found in a peatbog in Serbia.
Read more »