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.
4 Comments
Pronell@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y
I have long been convinced that leaded gasoline was the final nail in humanity's coffin.
solo@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 1y
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@slrpnk.net · 5 pts · 1y
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@slrpnk.net · 1 pts · 1y
That's my understanding as well.