Exceptionally high levels of lead pollution in the Balkans from the Early Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721546115
• Publication Date: 2018-05-29T15:36:58Z
• Authors: Jack Longman; Daniel Veres; Walter Finsinger; Vasile Ersek
• Keywords: Lead pollution; Environmental Pollution; Bronze; Industrial pollution; Lead (geology); Industrial Revolution

Significance A detailed record of historical lead (Pb) pollution from a peat bog in Serbia provides unique view on the extent and timing Balkan mining metallurgy. Evidence earliest European environmental is followed by large-scale sustained increases amount anthropogenically derived Pb after 600 BCE, through Roman/Byzantine periods, into medieval period. Occasional evidence drops output reflects disruptive socioeconomic impact periods turmoil. Our data show trend significantly different to records western Europe, where decreases dramatically collapse Roman Empire. These results suggest metal-rich southeastern Europe should be considered more major player metal time.