Groundbreaking Discoveries in Sumerian Civilization and Technology
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Chapter 1: The Sumerians and Their Innovations
Recent archaeological digs in Girsu, an ancient Sumerian city, have uncovered remnants of a remarkable technology designed to irrigate dry areas and boost agricultural productivity.
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Section 1.1: The Birthplace of Civilization
The Sumerians are recognized as the architects of one of the earliest advanced civilizations, flourishing in the regions between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which correspond to modern-day Iraq and Syria. Their land, known as Mesopotamia or Sumer, has been traced back nearly 6,000 years.
Subsection 1.1.1: Technological Marvels
The innovations stemming from Sumer have significantly influenced subsequent developments throughout Eurasia. Their advancements in agriculture, soil management, and irrigation systems continue to intrigue researchers. Among their notable inventions was the plow.
In recent excavations in southern Iraq's Girsu, archaeologists found evidence of yet another groundbreaking Sumerian invention. The investigation, spearheaded by researchers from the British Museum, identified this discovery as a “civilization-preserving” mechanism. It was a structure located on an artificially created canal, dating back 4,000 years, intended to deliver water for soil enrichment and agricultural enhancement.
Section 1.2: A Bridge or an Irrigation Device?
The enigmatic structure was first discovered in 1929 and was initially thought to be an unusual temple, dam, or water regulator. However, recent research has suggested that it could potentially be the oldest bridge in existence.
“Using archival photographs from the 1930s alongside newly released satellite images from the 1960s and fresh field studies, we have confirmed that it was indeed a bridge spanning an ancient waterway. Thus, it holds the title of the oldest known bridge worldwide,” reported scholars from the British Museum in 2018.
However, new investigations have provided alternative interpretations regarding the structure's actual purpose. Experts now propose that it may have functioned as a “machine” to combat drought.
“This find is truly one-of-a-kind; there has been no other example in history until now,” stated Ebru Torun, co-author of the study and conservator at the British Museum. “What’s particularly fascinating about this discovery is that it challenges the notion that such technologies emerged only in the 18th century AD,” Torun elaborated.
Dr. Sébastien Rey, an archaeologist and project leader at Girsu, emphasized that the Sumerians were acutely aware of the drought challenges they faced in agriculture thousands of years ago.
“They recognized that their rivers and canals were beginning to dry up. This structure is not merely a bridge; it serves as a drought mitigation device. Additionally, all the stone tablets discovered in Girsu reference a hydrological crisis and a ‘last desperate attempt at salvation,’” Dr. Rey explained in an interview with The Telegraph.
This video, titled "The Entire History of Sumerian Civilization," provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements and societal structures of Sumer, shedding light on the innovations that shaped early civilization.
Chapter 2: The Final Efforts of Girsu
The researchers emphasized that the Sumerian civilization heavily depended on effective water management and sophisticated irrigation methods. They channeled water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers into irrigation canals for their agricultural lands, allowing them to mitigate the risks of poor harvests.
Consequently, this ensured a steady food supply that sustained their urban society. “The construction was executed by the last inhabitants of Girsu as a final effort to prevent their city from becoming unlivable,” the scholars noted.
The Sumerian innovation consisted of two symmetrical mud-brick structures, typical of Sumerian architecture, measuring approximately 50 meters in length and 10 meters in width. The walls of the structure reached over 3 meters in height and were arranged in two opposing arches, situated atop a 19-kilometer-long canal.
“Because the device is directly positioned over the waterway, it has been referred to as the ‘oldest known bridge in the world’ by researchers at the British Museum. The next oldest bridge is the Arkadiko Bridge, built in the 12th century BCE in Greece, specifically designed for chariots.”
The second video, titled "Scientists Discovered The Last Sumerian King Hidden In A Cave In The Desert," explores recent findings that offer insights into the history and culture of the Sumerians, including significant discoveries that highlight their achievements.
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