Overview

The cross-cultural studies in this volume reexamine the role of irrigation in early states. Ranging geographically from South America and the southwestern United States to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, they describe the physical attributes and environments of early irrigation systems; various methods for empirical investigation of ancient irrigation; and irrigation's economic, sociopolitical and cosmological dimensions. Through their interdisciplinary perspectives, the authors--all experts in the field of irrigation studies--advance both methodological and theoretical approaches to understanding irrigation in early civilizations. Irrigation has long been of interest in the study of the past. Many early civilizations were located in river valleys, and irrigation was of great economic importance for many early states because of the key role it played in producing an agricultural surplus, which was the main source of wealth and the basis of political power for the elites who controlled it. Agricultural surplus was also necessary to maintain the very features of statehood, such as urbanism, full-time labour specialization, state institutions and status hierarchy. Yet the presence of large-scale or complex irrigation systems does not necessarily mean that they were under centralised control. While some early states organised the construction, operation and maintenance of irrigation works and resolved conflicts related to water distribution, other early governments left most of the management to local farmers and controlled only the surplus. With colour illustrations

Full Product Details

Author:   Stephanie Rost
Publisher:   Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
Imprint:   Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
Dimensions:   Width: 17.90cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 25.20cm
Weight:   1.137kg
ISBN:  

9781614910718

ISBN 10:   1614910715
Pages:   482
Publication Date:   05 September 2022
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

"Stephanie Rost is an assistant professor in the History Department at Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York. She was the organizer of the Oriental Institute postdoctoral fellow seminar ""Irrigation in Early States: New Directions."""

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions