New research suggests that human-caused lead pollution in the Aegean Sea began 5,200 years ago—1,200 years earlier than previously thought. A study analyzed sediment cores from land and sea, linking lead contamination to historical human activity. The findings reveal a major pollution surge around 2,150 years ago, coinciding with the Roman Empire’s expansion into Greece and intensified gold and silver mining. This marks the earliest recorded marine lead pollution, highlighting the environmental impact of ancient societies.
