Medieval England’s lead pollution harmed children’s health
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Researchers studying teeth from cemeteries in the Peak District of England determined that children living near lead mines experienced pollution levels comparable to those in industrial cities.
The team analysed tooth enamel from people buried in three cemeteries, dating from around 650 to 1500 CE, to measure lead exposure during childhood, when enamel forms and preserves environmental traces.
They found evidence of lead working in the region as early as the seventh century, with Castleton emerging as a heavily polluted centre by 750 to 850 CE. The study revealed that lead contamination significantly impacted medieval communities, not just those during the Industrial Revolution. Levels peaked in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, and varied among individuals, suggesting that a person’s social standing may have played a role in their exposure.
This research provides insight into an industry whose early history is difficult to trace because centuries of mining and smelting have disturbed the landscape and recycled lead waste. The findings support evidence from Swedish lake sediments and Alpine ice cores, demonstrating that the effects of early industrial activity extended beyond Britain.
