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OverviewThe 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 DetailsAuthor: Stephanie RostPublisher: 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: 9781614910718ISBN 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 ContentsReviewsAuthor 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 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |