Sumerians Develop Irrigation Systems
Sumerians Develop Irrigation Systems is a Grade 6 history skill from History Alive! The Ancient World, Chapter 1: Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization. The Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia faced an unpredictable water supply: the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded in spring and left soil parched the rest of the year. To solve this, they built levees — earthen walls along riverbanks to prevent flooding — and dug canals to redirect river water to fields during dry periods. This irrigation technology allowed Sumerians to farm reliably, produce surplus food, and support large settled communities — a crucial step in the rise of civilization.
Key Concepts
Life on the Sumerian plains required dealing with an uncontrolled water supply. In the spring, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded, washing away crops. During the rest of the year, the hot sun baked the soil, making it too dry for farming.
To solve this problem, farmers developed a complex irrigation system. They built levees , or walls of earth, along the riverbanks to prevent flooding. They also dug canals to guide river water to their fields. This technology allowed them to control their water supply and grow food reliably.
Common Questions
Why did the Sumerians need irrigation?
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded unpredictably in spring, destroying crops, while the rest of the year the soil was too dry to farm. Irrigation controlled this water supply.
What are levees?
Levees are walls of earth built along riverbanks to prevent floodwater from washing over fields and destroying crops.
How did canals help Sumerian farmers?
Canals diverted river water to fields during dry periods, allowing farmers to water their crops throughout the growing season instead of depending on unreliable rainfall or floods.
How did irrigation contribute to the rise of civilization in Mesopotamia?
Reliable food production from irrigation allowed surplus harvests. Surplus food supported larger populations, specialized jobs, and more complex societies — key features of early civilization.
What textbook covers Sumerian irrigation?
History Alive! The Ancient World, Chapter 1: Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization, Grade 6.