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Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Professor in Geochronology and Geochemistry, Southern Cross University

Human ancestors were exposed to lead millions of years ago, and it shaped our evolution

Brain United States Lead Poisoning
A 2 million-year-old tooth of an early human ancestor. Fiorenza and Joannes-Boyau

When we think of lead poisoning, most of us imagine modern human-made pollution, paint, old pipes, or exhaust fumes.

But our new study, published today in Science Advances, reveals something far more surprising: our ancestors were exposed to lead for millions of years, and it may have helped shape the evolution of the human brain.

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