Week 4: Notes and Slides (8-9)) 1 Flashcards
What is salinization in the context of Mesopotamian agriculture?
Salinization is the accumulation of salts in the soil due to irrigation water carrying minerals, which over time reduces soil fertility and damages crops.
Around what time did crop yields in Mesopotamia begin to decline due to salinization?
a) 5000 BP
b) 4500 BP
c) 3000 BP
d) 2000 BP
b
True or False
Statement: Mesopotamian irrigation techniques kept soil fertile indefinitely.
Answer: False
Reason: The irrigation techniques led to salinization, gradually reducing soil fertility and harming agriculture.
How did Mesopotamian leaders try to manage floodwaters?
They redirected floodwaters into reservoirs to protect crops early and irrigate later, though this practice eventually contributed to salinization.
Why did Mesopotamian farmers switch from wheat to barley?
Barley was more tolerant to saline soils, which became necessary as salinization made the soil unsuitable for wheat.
How does the Epic of Gilgamesh metaphorically describe the impact of salinization?
In the story, Gilgamesh’s fields are cursed and “turned white,” symbolizing the salt deposits in the soil that made it infertile.
True or False
Statement: Egyptian irrigation practices were designed to prevent the Nile from flooding each year.
Answer: False
Reason: Egyptians allowed the Nile to flood, which brought nutrient-rich silt to their fields, improving soil fertility.
What advantage did Egyptian irrigation have over Mesopotamian irrigation?
a) It avoided the accumulation of salts in the soil
b) It provided year-round water supply
c) It controlled floods completely
d) It was designed to irrigate only specific crops
a
Why did allowing the Nile to flood benefit Egyptian agriculture?
The flood deposited nutrient-rich silt while removing salts, maintaining soil fertility without salinization.
How did the Nile’s flood cycle differ from the Mesopotamian rivers’ flood cycle in terms of agricultural impact?
The Nile flooded after harvest, depositing silt that fertilized fields, while Mesopotamian rivers flooded during the growing season, which required protection of crops.
