Scientists from Harvard University, one of the most famous schools in the US, refuted the long-standing theory that German composer Ludwig van Beethoven died of lead poisoning, as a result of their examination of a century-old lock of hair. During the research, the amount of arsenic and mercury, as well as lead in the hair strands, was also measured.
A new study of two locks of hair previously confirmed to represent Beethoven himself has confirmed that the composer was indeed suffering from the effects of lead poisoning; but it wasn’t enough to kill him.
It was revealed that the amount of lead in the hair was 64 times higher than the upper limit for a healthy person. It was also found that levels of arsenic and mercury were high.
HE LOST HIS LIFE AT THE AGE OF 56
Researchers pointed out that pots made of lead were used in the 19th century and lead-based treatments were applied in some medical conditions. The high amounts detected in strands of Beethoven’s hair may be related to this.
The German composer died at the age of 56, succumbing to liver disease caused by hepatitis B infection, worsened by drinking habits and seeded by genetic risk factors.
