In a groundbreaking study, evidence of lead pollution dating back approximately 5,200 years has been discovered in Greece, making it the oldest known instance of such environmental contamination.
Researchers have unearthed the world’s earliest evidence of lead pollution within sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea, originating around 5,200 years ago. This discovery predates previously identified lead pollution by about 1,200 years, which was documented in a Serbian peatbog. The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, highlights how lead was historically released as a byproduct from smelting ores to extract copper and silver.
Heidelberg University archaeologist Joseph Maran, co-author of the study, explains that silver, used for jewelry and special objects, was not found in pure form but rather in ore combined with lead. Of note is the site in northeastern Greece, near Thasos, renowned for being a significant center for silver mining and metalwork in antiquity. This site provides the earliest evidence of lead contamination, echoing its historical role in metallurgy.
Yale historian Joseph Manning, not involved in the study, remarked on how lead from smelting represents the earliest form of industrial pollution globally. Throughout ancient Greece, levels of lead contamination remained relatively low and localized, during periods such as the Bronze Age, the Classical period notable for Athenian democracy, and the Hellenistic period when Greek culture spread across the Mediterranean.
However, a significant spike in lead pollution was detected around 2,150 years ago, concurrent with the Roman conquest of Greece. This surge, linked to increased smelting to meet the demand for silver coins as Roman trade expanded, occurred around 146 B.C. The Romans extensively used lead for various purposes, such as tableware and construction materials, including piping.
Chellman’s environmental research, though not part of this study, affirmed high lead levels detected in the Northern Hemisphere from that era, offering a broader perspective. This recent study delivers more specific insights into local lead contamination in ancient Greece, enriching our understanding of historical pollution patterns.
The findings of this study not only illuminate the extensive history of lead pollution but also deepen our understanding of ancient industrial activities and their environmental impacts.
