Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 08:29am on 07 Mar 2025,Friday International
Archaeologists have uncovered an extensive network of canals beneath Eridu, one of Mesopotamia's oldest cities, offering new insights into ancient agricultural practices. Led by geoarchaeologist Jaafar Jotheri from Durham University, the team identified nearly 200 primary canals, ranging from 1 to 9 kilometers in length and 2 to 5 meters in width, directly connected to the ancient Euphrates River. Additionally, over 4,000 smaller branch canals irrigated approximately 700 farms. This sophisticated water management system, predating the first millennium BC, demonstrates the advanced hydraulic engineering skills of ancient farmers. The preservation of this network is attributed to a historical shift in the Euphrates' course, which left the area dry and uninhabited, safeguarding the ancient landscape.
