How The Fall Of The Roman Empire Is Hidden In Arctic Ice

When it comes to studying antiquity, scholars and historians have long relied on the same type of sources. Much of what we know about ancient Rome is thanks to once-buried coins, plates and other artefacts recovered from archaeological sites, or writers like Virgil and Ovid, whose works have revealed precious details about what life was like under the rule of emperors. Just this month though, scientists announced a resource that sheds new light on the complexities of ancient Roman history – Arctic ice.

Pollution is nothing new and ancient Romans did their fair share of contaminating the planet. By drilling into Greenland’s ice sheet, a team of archaeologists, historians and climate scientists has constructed a timeline of Rome’s lead pollution during the Republic and Empire eras. This data can then be linked to key events like plagues, wars and economic boom or bust.

The study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this month, focused on lead pollution in particular as it provides clues to economic activity.

When the Romans made coins, like the standard denarius for example, they did so by extracting silver from impure ore, which contained a mixture of silver, lead and copper. The process involved boiling off the lead which, carried by winds from Europe, eventually ended up in Greenland. The lead emissions then mixed with snow, settled and compacted into the ice sheet. So, by looking at the lead in the ice’s layers, scientists are actually looking at coin production in ancient Rome.

The study encompasses lead emissions from 1100 BC to 800 AD, meaning that scientists were able to chronicle economic data relating to the entire rise and fall of the Roman Republic and Empire. (The Republic was founded in 509 BC while the Empire – at least in the west – fell in 476 AD).

As Rome emerged victorious from the Punic Wars in the second century BC, lead emissions increased. After a drop in the early first century BC, which coincided with a series of civil wars, lead emissions rose once again. The change, this time corresponding with the abolition of the Republic by Augustus.

The early Roman Empire is marked by 200 years of relative peace and tranquillity throughout the Mediterranean world, known as Pax Romana. This was a period of economic boom for Rome and the study suggests that during this time Western Europe may have experienced higher lead emissions than at any point before the Industrial Revolution, almost 1,800 years later.

In the ice records relating to 165 AD, scientists saw a sharp drop in lead emissions. The Antonine Plague, brought back by soldiers returning from the east, had devastated the empire. By 180 AD, an estimated 5 million people had died and the Roman army was severely weakened, as was the economy.

Lead emissions plateaued for several centuries, only to fall even lower in the late fourth century when the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the German warrior Odoacer.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.