The physical settings of these river valleys Supported permanent settlements and, in time, early civilizations. In these valleys people found plenty of Water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. The earliest civilizations developed in the valleys of four major river systems
Full Answer
What is the importance of waterways in history?
In modern history, in both North America and northern Asia, natural waterways directed the lines of exploration, conquest, and settlement. In these areas, passage from river system to river system was facilitated by portage along lines defined by temporary ice-marginal or ice-diverted channels.
What is the origin of sedentary settlement in river valleys?
The inner valleys of some great alluvial rivers contain the sites of ancestral permanent settlements, including pioneer cities. Sedentary settlement in Hither Asia began about 10,000 years ago at the site of Arīḥā (ancient Jericho). Similar settlement in the Tigris-Euphrates and Nile valleys dates back to at least 6000 bp (years before present).
Why did early civilizations develop near rivers?
As such, some form of water that moved was preferable. For this reason, many of the greatest early civilizations, such as the Egyptians and the Sumerians, developed near rivers. In some cases, such as the Nile in Egypt, a river could also bring nutrients for the soil, meaning that better crops could be grown.
Did early riverine civilizations bore the seeds of their own destruction?
At the same time, it can be argued that early riverine and river-dependent civilizations bore the seeds of their own destruction, independent of major climatic variations and natural evolutionary changes in the river systems. High-consuming cities downstream inevitably exploited the upstream catchments, especially for timber.
Why Were Rivers Important?
Now think about how you can get these from different landforms. A mountain may have springs for water and caves for shelter, but may not be the best place to grow food. However, a river can provide all of these: the water part is pretty obvious, but a river can provide fish or water for crops to eat, as well as mud to make mud-brick houses. Therefore, it is little surprise that many of the great civilizations of ancient history sprang up close to rivers. Today we're going to talk about two regions that had both rivers and great civilizations: Egypt and Mesopotamia.
What can a river provide?
However, a river can provide all of these: the water part is pretty obvious, but a river can provide fish or water for crops to eat, as well as mud to make mud-brick houses. Therefore, it is little surprise that many of the great civilizations of ancient history sprang up close to rivers. Today we're going to talk about two regions ...
What civilizations did not exist without rivers?
Without rivers, the civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia might have never existed. Learn more about the role that the Nile River played in Egypt and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers played in Mesopotamia. Create an account.
Why was the Nile important to Egypt?
The Nile was especially important in Egyptian religion, as one would expect of something so important in Egyptian life. Tombs, including the gigantic pyramids, were often built on the West side of the river, as this was the side that symbolized the Egyptian afterlife, due to the setting sun. Mesopotamia.
Why was the Nile not a tragedy?
However, for the Egyptians, it was a tragedy if the Nile did not flood because it was this flood that brought much of the nutrients for the crops that would feed the Egyptian people.
Why couldn't merchants sail down the Nile?
This made Egyptian merchants very wealthy. In fact, while the merchants could not sail all the way down the Nile due to the cataracts, or rapids, that dotted the Nile once you got out of Egypt, someone could simply walk around many of these rapids on foot.
Which two rivers bordered Mesopotamia?
The two rivers that bordered Mesopotamia, the Tigris and the Euphrates, were both very different than the Nile in Egypt. For starters, these rivers were much shorter, reaching only a thousand miles long.
Why did ancient civilizations use rivers?
For this reason, many of the greatest early civilizations, such as the Egyptians and the Sumerians, developed near rivers. In some cases, such as the Nile in Egypt, a river could also bring nutrients for the soil, meaning that better crops could be grown.
What factors helped early humans decide to settle down?
In this lesson, we talked about what factors helped early humans decide to settle down, most specifically with regards to landforms, climate and potential neighbors . Early people examined landforms in order to make sure that the land would be worthwhile for growing food and not too rocky, like a mountain, or too low and wet, like a swamp. They also took into account the overall climate of an area, making sure that it would be possible to grow food without it getting too cold or too dry. Finally, we mentioned how the importance of nearby animals could also cause people to want to settle down.
Why did Mesopotamia and Egypt develop?
Egypt and Mesopotamia are both in the middle of deserts, but because of the abundant water supply from rivers, the civilizations were able to develop. However, the shift of these rivers could (and did) often leave towns too far away from water, meaning that the people moved a few miles away and rebuilt everything.
Why was it important to settle down with neighbors?
However, it is not only human neighbors that are important. In fact, in the early days of a settlement, it was often much more important for a growing civilization to have easy access to animals, whether to hunt/fish or to potentially domesticate, or tame.
Why did landforms discourage early humans?
Landforms. Many landforms either encouraged or discouraged the decision of early humans to stop hunting and start farming. For starters, there had to be land that was good for farming. This eliminates many different landforms. No one wants to farm in a swamp, as the land is too low. That said, sometimes the land was too high.
Why were mountains not good for farming?
However, mountains were not a good choice. They were often too steep to make crops worthwhile, and even then the soil would often be too rocky for anything to grow. Also, mountains could often block rain, meaning the crops would wilt and die. Instead, nice flat land was ideal for farming.
Why was water important in Mesopotamia?
Water wasn't the only climate factor though. Equally important was the amount of sunshine that a village's farms would receive. In much of Mesopotamia and Egypt, this was not too much of a problem, which is one of the reasons those places were able to grow such large cultures. Neighbors.
What are the characteristics of early civilizations?
These elements include an agricultural based economy, social divisions, complex governments, religion and a writing system. The lecture will also point out some of the benefits and costs of the civilizing process.
What is the lesson on civilized life?
The lesson will close with a double entry journal. On one side students will need to list some of the benefits and costs of civilized life. They will be expected to list at least three benefits and three costs. They will also be expected to include at least two benefits or costs that they think are important but were not addressed in the lecture presentation.
What are the four agricultural techniques?
Students will be able to list at least 4 agricultural techniques or tools (plow, sickle, threshing sledge, and sieve) used to make ever larger food surpluses. They will also describe how these ideas changed the lifestyles of the people who used them.
