Researchers from Heidelberg University discovered the earliest case of environmental lead pollution in Ancient Greece. Sediment cores from mainland Greece and the Aegean Sea showed lead contamination dating back 5,200 years, predating the previously known oldest case in Serbia by 1,200 years. In ancient times, smelting ores to extract copper and silver released lead into the air, which settled in the soil. The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, found the earliest traces near Thasos, an island in northeastern Greece known for silver mining and metalwork. Archaeological evidence confirmed that lead pollution remained minimal and localized during the Bronze Age, Classical period, and Hellenistic period.

A significant rise in lead emissions occurred around 2,150 years ago during the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 B.C. The inclusion of Greece into the Roman Empire led to economic and societal changes. The increased demand for silver coins caused more smelting, releasing more lead into the environment. Furthermore, Romans used lead extensively in construction, including pipes and tableware. This study provides a comprehensive view of historical lead pollution and supports earlier research on Greenland ice cores.