• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Anthropology

New analysis of Beethoven’s hair reveals the mysteries of his deafness and illnesses

by Dario Radley
May 16, 2024

A recent study published in the journal Clinical Chemistry has revealed the health challenges faced by the renowned composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

Presumed Beethoven skull fragments return to Vienna for study
A portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Researchers conducting DNA analysis on two authenticated locks of Beethoven’s hair found alarmingly high concentrations of lead, arsenic, and mercury, suggesting potential lead poisoning as a contributing factor to his various illnesses, including his well-documented deafness.

The investigation, led by a team of international researchers, including pathologist Paul Jannetto from the Mayo Clinic, revealed that one lock of Beethoven’s hair contained 380 micrograms of lead per gram, while the other had 258 micrograms per gram. These levels far exceed today’s normal standards, which are typically 4 micrograms or less per gram of hair. Moreover, the arsenic levels were 13 times higher than normal, and mercury levels were four times higher.

Lead poisoning, though not conclusively identified as the sole cause of Beethoven’s death at the age of 56 in 1827, may have significantly impacted his health throughout his life. Beethoven’s symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues, episodes of jaundice, and progressive deafness, align with the known effects of lead exposure.

New analysis of Beethoven’s hair reveals the mysteries of his deafness and illnesses
Photograph of a lock of Beethoven’s hair sent to Ignaz Moscheles by Anton Schindler shortly after Beethoven’s death, with authentication inscription by Moscheles. From the collections of the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, San Jose State University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lead, often present in wine and consumed in copious amounts by Beethoven, could have contributed to his deteriorating health. During his lifetime, he was known to consume a bottle of wine daily and, later, even more, possibly exacerbating his exposure to lead, which was commonly used in the production of wine as a preservative and sweetener.

RelatedStories

Earliest use of psychoactive plant 'harmal' uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing

Earliest use of psychoactive plant ‘harmal’ uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing

May 24, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025

Kevin Brown, an Australian businessman and avid Beethoven enthusiast, facilitated the research by providing two of the authenticated locks of Beethoven’s hair for analysis. This contribution aligns with Beethoven’s own wish, expressed in 1802, for medical professionals to investigate the cause of his chronic illnesses posthumously.

Lead poisoning, though implicated in Beethoven’s ailments, may not have been the sole contributor to his death. As the world commemorates the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the findings represent a crucial piece of the puzzle for historians, physicians, and scientists seeking to better understand the complexities of his medical journey.

More information: Nader Rifai, William Meredith, Kevin Brown, Sarah A Erdahl, Paul J Jannetto, (2024). High Lead Levels in 2 Independent and Authenticated Locks of Beethoven’s Hair, Clinical Chemistry, hvae054, doi:10.1093/clinchem/hvae054


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist
Archaeology

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite
Archaeology

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest
Archaeology

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025
4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age
Archaeology

4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

May 29, 2025
Over 100 Chachapoya structures discovered at Gran Pajatén in Peru’s Andes
Archaeology

Over 100 Chachapoya structures discovered at Gran Pajatén in Peru’s Andes

May 29, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure
Archaeology

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

May 27, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025
4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

May 29, 2025
Over 100 Chachapoya structures discovered at Gran Pajatén in Peru’s Andes

Over 100 Chachapoya structures discovered at Gran Pajatén in Peru’s Andes

May 29, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.