Roman Empire no doubt left significant traces in human history. Her history fascinates many of us. Researchers have found that the level of lead pollution in Greenland is very closely linked to the history of the war, social unrest and the expansion of the empire.

History hidden in the ice

Scientists studying Arctic ice have discovered traces of the rise and fall of this vast empire. Economic fluctuations could be further determined by the increased production of coins, traces of which were found preserved in Greenlandic glaciers.

He claims that most of the lead pollution from this period is related to massive silver production. They further explain that the rate of pollution from lead to lead was highest at the time of the empire's expansion. Lead is thought to have been deposited in layers of infested snow in Arctic ice.

Joe McConnell, a hydrologist at the Desert Research Institute, commented:

"Records of detailed measurements in glaciers begin in 1100 BC during the Late Iron Age and continue through antiquity to the early Middle Ages in Europe - a period in which the rise and fall of Greek and Roman civilization took place. We found that lead pollution in Greenland very accurately copied military history, social unrest, and empire expansion during ancient times in Europe. ”

The study involved scientists from various fields - from hydrologists to economic historians.

Studies and measurements

A new study includes more than 21 000 chemical measurements. Experts have found that pollutant emissions of pollutants have begun to increase around 900 pnl, at a time when the old Phoenicians have begun to expand their trade routes to the Mediterranean. In addition, it is assumed that lead emissions have also increased as a result of the mining activities of the Cartagian and Roman inhabitants, mostly on the Iberian peninsula. Scientists could thus find the link between lead emission values ​​and significant historical events.

It has been found that in the last 80 years of the Republic of the Republic, lead emissions have reached the lowest value.

Co-author Andrew Wilson, professor of the Roman Empire at Oxford University, said:

"Almost four times the lead emissions during the first two centuries of the Roman Empire compared to the last decades of the Roman Republic indicate significant economic growth."

The state-of-the-art technology simulating the movement of lead pollution in the atmosphere was used to study. Scientists also found a significant decrease in lead emissions due to the plague in 2. and 3. century.

You can read more about the study in the magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.