They inadvertently poisoned themselves with lead

Oct 23, 2015 00:15 GMT  ·  By

Having exhumed and analyzed the remains of a couple hundred individuals who lived during the Middle Ages in Germany and Denmark, a team of researchers found evidence that, in those days, rich people unknowingly made themselves, erm, not smart. 

They did this by inadvertently poisoning themselves with lead, the University of Southern Denmark scientists explain in a recent study in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Historical records show that, in those days, people were in the habit of glazing cups and plates with lead to make them all beautifully colored and shiny. Of course, only the very wealthy could afford to eat and drink from such exquisite dishes.

What they didn't know was that, when they ate acidic foods, the lead glazing their plates and cups would work its way in their body. In time, it would build up and take its toll on their health.

As explained by researcher Kaare Lund Rasmussen and colleagues, one of the side effects of this prolonged exposure to the toxic metal was a drop in the IQ of the new generations.

“In the Middle Ages, you could almost not avoid ingesting lead, if you were wealthy or living in an urban environment,” specialist Kaare Lund Rasmussen detailed in an interview.

“What is perhaps more severe is the fact that exposure to lead leads to lower intelligence of children,” the University of Southern Denmark went on to explain the significance of this find.

Documenting exposure to lead in medieval times

As mentioned, the research team exhumed and studied the bodies of a couple hundred people who lived in towns in Germany and Denmark in medieval times.

All in all, the scientists analyzed the remains of 207 individuals, which they recovered from 6 different cemeteries. The bones were tested to reveal the toxic compounds that these people were exposed to throughout their life.

In their report in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the specialists explain that, whereas the bones of commoners contained very little traces of lead, this toxic compound was found in abundance in the bones of rich people.

“We see almost no lead in the bones from rural individuals, while the levels of this toxic metal were high in urban individuals,” explained researcher Kaare Lund Rasmussen.

What's interesting is the tests also revealed that, in medieval times, the rich were more likely to be exposed to mercury, another element that is poisonous to humans.

The scientists think this was because, during the Middle Ages, mercury was used to create a bright red mineral which was then used to coat various objects.

Then, mercury was also used to treat diseases such as leprosy and syphilis. Again, it was the rich who had more contact with this toxic compound, seeing as they were the ones who could afford medicine and fancy decorative items.

One of the skulls the scientists tested
One of the skulls the scientists tested

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Medieval chalice, paten and straw
One of the skulls the scientists tested
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