Ancient History

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Roman Empire’s use of lead lowered IQ levels across Europe, study finds (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 4 weeks ago by ODGreen to c/ancienthistory

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Scientists measured atmospheric concentrations of lead in ancient times and concluded the vast lead use of the Roman empire led to a drop in IQ in the population.

Roman children had only a fraction of the lead buildup that US children had in the 1970s due to leaded gasoline.

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[–] solo 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

I dunno. Intelligence Quotient testing is problematic in many ways, from cultural bias to oversimplification of what intellligence is, to name a just a couple of the issues.

Claiming that this measure can be used for a whole population that has been dead for centuries, doesn't seem to have any credibility. Let's keep in mind it is used for individuals.

Edit: I though of adding a 6 min relevant video

The dark history of IQ tests - Stefan C. Dombrowski

[–] ODGreen 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Absolutely - IQ is not a good measure at all. But we do know that lead is a neurotoxin that has an effect on cognition. That at least holds up.

[–] solo 1 points 4 weeks ago

lead is a neurotoxin that has an effect on cognition

That's my understanding as well.