Mining in Ancient Civilizations

Question 1

Lead in drinking water ancient Romans

Answer 1

• Rome used lead pipes to distribute water to people’s homes
• Water travelling through these pipes had ~100x more lead than water from the local springs nearby the city

Question 2

Who were the Byzantines?

Answer 2

Members of the Eastern Roman Empire

Question 3

What was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?

Answer 3

Constantinople

Question 4

When did the Eastern Roman Empire fall?

Answer 4

1453

Question 5

Who was responsible for the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire?

Answer 5

The Ottoman Empire (from Turkey)

Question 6

The study site is near the ruin of the ancient Roman city of Phaino, which was one of the major mining and smelting centers of the Roman world

Answer 6

• Phaino was an important supplier of Cu to ancient Syria, Mesopotamia, and Egypt
• Evidence of mining activities include mine shafts, metal processing site, kilns, and slag heaps (waste rock)
• Over 250 ancient mines in this area

Question 7

Why were the Byzantines interested in Cu?

Answer 7

• Coins (to pay military)
• Malleable (tools/ornaments)
• Weapons
• Making alloys i.e bronze

Question 8

The host rocks for Cu was

Answer 8

sedimentary rock (limestone and sandstone)

Question 9

Results of the Study

Answer 9

1) Cu content of the bones ranged from 2x to 18x the normal [ ] for vertebrate bone
2) All the studied skeletons showed joint dmg, possibly from working in hard labour jobs
3) Males commonly had higher Cu content in their bones, may be related to occupation

Question 10

How did Cu get into bones?

Answer 10

• Inhalation of Cu desert dust
• Inhalation of by-products during smelting operations
• Cu-rich dust on hands, then eat or drink
• Eating plants/animals that had high Cu lvls

Question 11

Main symptoms of Cu poisoning?

Answer 11

• Chill, fever, pain
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Muscular convulsion, aches, and weakness
• Decreased liver function
• Diarrhea
• No urine production
• Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, burning sensation
• Anemia and shock
• Jaundice

Question 12

Legacy of Empires

Answer 12

• Significant bio-accumulation of Cu in plants and animals in this part of Jordan
• Exposure of modern people is unlikely to approach that of the ancient miners, no doubt that they live in an environment where Cu may persist in soils for thousands of years
• Cu mining in past may impact inhabitants today and in the future