2014/04/21 by Hugo Delile, Janne Blichert‐Toft, Jean-Philippe Goiran +2 · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · #Maritime and Coastal Archaeology #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History
paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1400097111
openalex publication_date 2014/04/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
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.