Ancient Chinese dynasties were e.g. archaeologists examined their previous agriculture on the basis of seeds, pollen and grains and it was possible to determine, for example, have dealt with dry periods agriculturally. Now, in large parts, especially in the northern hemisphere failures due to persistent drought. Perhaps ancient knowledge could now be used for our future agriculture, as more droughts are expected in the future.
Irrigation using canals have been known for thousands of years (Indus Valley Civilization ca. 3000 BC). Terrace agriculture in hilly terrain to minimize erosion and water run off has also been known for many hundreds of years. Rivers used to meander which is a hydrological phenomenon. Ancient people respected it; modern humans have straightened some meandering rivers which now has created many problems including flooding and destroying of natural riparian habitats. Wetlands have practically been eliminated in many places (example near New Orleans, USA, which was one of the causes of serious flooding from hurricanes in recent years). Human beings are realizing the folly of these various acts and there is some reparation done such as restoring wetlands, restoring the priaries in mid-USA, resorting back to planting native vegetation and removing invasive water-hungry species, etc. There has always been wisdom in what anceint people practiced such as intentional fire setting by the aborigines in Australia to control the amount of fuel. The ancients have learned these principles by observing nature and being in tune with it and respecting it. Modern humans, due to corporate greed and millions of other reasons have chosen to disrespect Mother Nature and many of us are facing the consequences today.
The concept of water harvesting and underground canal system, called KARAYZ system is quite old technique. This system was in practice in Baluchistan Province of Pakistan. Such system should be studied and should be re-initiated.
Similarly gravity canal system & lift canal system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, still in practice and needed to be upgraded for effective uses of water resources.
A very interesting question, Eva. I have to think about it. A first thought is: do we want to work with old methods? Or is there even a risk that we need it? But we have to check a lot of familiar thinks and have to think again.
Note that drought is not world wide. Some places have much rain and flooding as the sea level rises.
The practice of irrigation I think dates older than 1000 years so the ancients knew crop failure and drought and applied control measures. The issue is that national boundaries do not allow human migrations as in the past and coupled with population increase, people are stuck to disaster struct homelands. Ground water can be harvested provided there is recharge or there would be depletion with time. In the long run, population will reduce with hunger until population returns to the much the land can carry. This is natural selection of Biology.Harsh but true.
Obianuju P. Umeji
Irrigation using canals have been known for thousands of years (Indus Valley Civilization ca. 3000 BC). Terrace agriculture in hilly terrain to minimize erosion and water run off has also been known for many hundreds of years. Rivers used to meander which is a hydrological phenomenon. Ancient people respected it; modern humans have straightened some meandering rivers which now has created many problems including flooding and destroying of natural riparian habitats. Wetlands have practically been eliminated in many places (example near New Orleans, USA, which was one of the causes of serious flooding from hurricanes in recent years). Human beings are realizing the folly of these various acts and there is some reparation done such as restoring wetlands, restoring the priaries in mid-USA, resorting back to planting native vegetation and removing invasive water-hungry species, etc. There has always been wisdom in what anceint people practiced such as intentional fire setting by the aborigines in Australia to control the amount of fuel. The ancients have learned these principles by observing nature and being in tune with it and respecting it. Modern humans, due to corporate greed and millions of other reasons have chosen to disrespect Mother Nature and many of us are facing the consequences today.
I agree with Dr. Srini Vasan .In addition, many water projects were completed (at the time) to address water scarcity and extreme climate within Assyrian, Babylonian and Sumerian civilizations in Iraq.
Narees' answer may be suitable, but given the fate of the Indus Valley Civilisation which may not have been able to save itself from climate change, perhaps not.
Southern Mesopotamian society prospered from the 5th millennium to half way through the 2nd millennium, producing fields of wheat, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, in a land of declining precipitation but then declined. Why? The Euphrates and Tigris kept shifting-a similar fate to that of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Agricultural practice was the first and the oldest job on earth. With crop farming, animal and fishing dominated for thousands of year before mining. During this time, record of draught and famine as documented by religion book is an evident of the such occurrence and shows our ancestors were aware. However, lack of adequate records and lack of technology and experts to follow and study the tread of event could be be the problem.
They not only knew about agriculture, they domesticated most of the plants and animals without devastating the environment. They applied mulching during dry seasons. Their methods were welcome nature and we can learn from them.
Obianuju P. Umeji
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