There are traces of chlorobenzenes in a Roman bowl that was dated to the Late Iron Age. The preservation of archaeological material in the ground may be at risk due to the polluted soil.
Most chlorobenzenes have been banned for use in the UK due to concerns about environmental pollution. Past agricultural and industrial activities are thought to have accumulated these compounds in the environment. A Roman bowl, made of a copper-alloy, was found on a farm in Kent in the UK, which was known to have been used for agriculture since 1936.
Luciana da Costa Carvalho and colleagues looked at the green and brown color of the bowl to identify their components. The elements were indicative of the changes in the soil caused by humans. The authors found chlorobenzenes in the green color. Diethyltoluamide, also known as DEET, was found in the brown-colored corrosion by the authors.
The authors think that the chlorobenzenes may have contributed to the increase in the Roman bowl's wear and tear. Even though chlorobenzenes are no longer used in the UK, polluted soil may still threaten the preservation of archaeological material still buried and more research needs to be done to understand the processes involved.
More information: Luciana da Costa Carvalho, The influence of pesticides on the corrosion of a Roman bowl excavated in Kent, UK, Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17902-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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