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Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 May 6;111(18):6594-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1400097111. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

Lead in ancient Rome's city waters.

Author information

1
Université Lumière Lyon 2, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Unité Mixte de Recherche (CNRS UMR) 5600, 69676 Bron, France.

Abstract

It is now universally accepted that utilization of lead for domestic purposes and water distribution presents a major health hazard. The ancient Roman world was unaware of these risks. How far the gigantic network of lead pipes used in ancient Rome compromised public health in the city is unknown. Lead isotopes in sediments from the harbor of Imperial Rome register the presence of a strong anthropogenic component during the beginning of the Common Era and the Early Middle Ages. They demonstrate that the lead pipes of the water distribution system increased Pb contents in drinking water of the capital city by up to two orders of magnitude over the natural background. The Pb isotope record shows that the discontinuities in the pollution of the Tiber by lead are intimately entwined with the major issues affecting Late Antique Rome and its water distribution system.

KEYWORDS:

Late Holocene; harbor geoarcheology; ore provenance; paleopollution; sedimentology

PMID:
24753588
PMCID:
PMC4020092
DOI:
10.1073/pnas.1400097111
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
Free PMC Article

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