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‘Death... more desirable than life’? The human skeletal record and toxicological implications of ancient copper mining and smelting in Wadi Faynan, southwestern Jordan

The Institute of Geography and Earth Science, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK, John.Grattan{at}aber.ac.uk

Steven Huxley

The Institute of Geography and Earth Science, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK

Lotus Abu Karaki

The Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

Harry Toland

The Institute of Geography and Earth Science, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK

David Gilbertson

School of Geography, The University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, UK

Brian Pyatt

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, The Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, UK

Ziad al Saad

The Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

Skeletal material from 36 people, dating from the early Christian era, who lived by or worked in the notorious Roman copper mines of Phaeno, were analysed to determine their exposure to copper and lead. We demonstrate that many of the bones analysed had a substantially higher concentration of these cations than modern individuals exposed to metals through industrial processes. Health, toxicological and environmental implications of these data are reviewed.

Key Words: ancient industry • ancient pollution • copper • human bone • lead • smelting

Toxicology and Industrial Health, Vol. 18, No. 6, 297-307 (2002)
DOI: 10.1191/0748233702th153oa


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