WASHINGTON (AP) — New research has revealed that ancient Greece produced the earliest known evidence of lead pollution, dating back approximately 5,200 years. This discovery significantly predates previous records of lead contamination, which were established from a peat bog in Serbia.
The study, led by a team from Heidelberg University, analyzed sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea, pinpointing lead contamination linked to early silver and copper smelting activities. As these metals were extracted and processed, lead was released into the environment, ultimately settling on soil as harmful particulate matter. Silver, frequently used in jewelry and other valued objects, was often mined in combination with lead ores, making the emissions a byproduct of the industry.
The discovery, which marks the earliest instance of industrial pollution, emphasizes how ancient human activities contributed to environmental degradation. The pollution found in Greece remained relatively low and localized for much of the Bronze Age, Classical period, and Hellenistic period—known for the rise of Athenian democracy, the teachings of Socrates and Plato, and the expansion of Greek influence across the Mediterranean.
However, a sharp increase in lead pollution is noted from around 2,150 years ago, coinciding with the Roman conquest of Greece. This was when the demand for silver coins, necessary for the expanding Roman economy, required intense smelting activities that released significant amounts of lead into the air. By this period, the widespread use of lead had expanded beyond coins to domestic and industrial applications, including pipes and tableware.
This finding builds upon previous studies of ice cores from Greenland, which indicated high levels of lead during Roman times. However, the new research provides a more specific and localized account of how lead levels evolved in Greece.
The study also highlights how the expanding Roman Empire further impacted environmental health, with industrial and military activities amplifying the long-term environmental consequences. For more information on ancient environmental studies, visit The European Environmental Agency.
The findings underscore the relevance of understanding historical pollution in the context of modern environmental challenges, drawing parallels between ancient practices and contemporary concerns over human-induced pollution and climate change.
Read more about environmental science and pollution at Environmental Science and Policy.
