3 ms·

It is thought that wide spread contamination of food with lead, caused by lead cookware used by the elite, is the origin of the demise of the Roman empire.

• didgeoridoo 6y ago
  It’s a pretty fringe opinion. Lots more info here: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/leadpoisoning.html https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wi...
  • samizdis 6y ago
    That was an interesting read. Thanks for posting.
  • jerome-jh 6y ago
    Sure it is only an assumption. However the linked study seems to ignore the fact that lead accumulates in the body over time. Which causes a decrease of cognitive functions in the long term with no acute symptoms.