Recent research has uncovered the earliest known human-caused lead contamination in the Aegean Sea region, dating back 5,200 years—much earlier than previously believed.
Key Findings:
- First evidence of lead pollution found in a peat bog sediment core.
- Contamination linked to silver production, marking early industrial activity.
- Pollen analysis reveals a shift from agriculture to a monetary economy.
- Lead pollution spiked 2,150 years ago, coinciding with Roman conquest and intensified mining.
This discovery highlights how environmental changes reflect socioeconomic transformations, offering new insights into the evolution of ancient civilizations. 🚀🔬
Aegean Sea: Part of the Mediterranean Sea, located between Europe (Balkans) and Asia (Anatolia). Size: Approximately 215,000 km².
- Connections: Connected to the Marmara Sea (which leads to the Black Sea) via the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits.
- Islands: Contains many islands, including Crete and Rhodes.
- Depth: Maximum depth of 3,544 meters.
- Subdivisions: Includes the Thracian Sea and the Sea of Crete.
Reference: SD
