Emily Chan
Around 2200 B.C.E., the Nile was at its lowest. At that time, civil unrest and rumors of cannibalism were rampant. Still, metal contamination remained high, implying that the metalworking industry was incredibly resilient.
The depleting Nile presented new opportunities for local communities. As the water dried up, fertile floodplains were exposed, allowing people to participate in agricultural activities. Previous research pointed to pollen grains as evidence. Even when pyramid construction at Giza halted, metalworking was still commonplace.
Copper pollution can negatively affect both humans and animals. Overexposure to metals can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Long-term exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage.
It is unclear whether living among the pollution surrounding the Giza pyramids gave residents health issues. However, the presence of the metal in soil samples shed some light on the lives of everyday ancient Egyptians, not just the elite members of their society.
The study was published in the journal Geology.
