Lead poisoning in the ancient world

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Lead is one of the seven metals known in ancient times. It has been mined and used by man since at least the 4th millennium BC. But, it is very toxic. When the body is exposed to lead, it can act as a poison. However, Greeks and Romans found that when they coated the interior of the copper or bronze cooking pots with lead,  most of the food they prepared tasted better. This is evident in the preparation of wines. Grape must was boiled in lead -lined vessels in order to prepare a thick liquid that would enhance the color and  taste of wine and preserve it from spoiling. 


Below are a few links to pieces which I think are well worth reading. 
I hope you find them as interesting  as I did.

Lead and wine. Eberhard Gockel and the colica Pictonum

History of Greek Food is a research-driven and narrative project
exploring food as a cultural phenomenon in the Greek world,
from antiquity to the present.

Contact at: mkavroulakis@gmail.com

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