Widespread use of metal caused estimated 2- to 3-point drop in IQ for nearly 180 years of Pax Romana

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.

  • Pronell@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    17 days ago

    I have long been convinced that leaded gasoline was the final nail in humanity’s coffin.

  • solo@slrpnk.netEnglish
    52·
    17 days ago

    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.netOPEnglish
      5·
      17 days ago

      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.netEnglish
        1·
        17 days ago

        lead is a neurotoxin that has an effect on cognition

        That’s my understanding as well.