Week 4: Notes and Slides (8-9) 2 Flashcards
Why is Mesopotamia sometimes referred to as the “land between rivers”?
a) Because of its proximity to the Red Sea and Mediterranean
b) Because it is surrounded by lakes
c) Because of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
d) Because it borders the Nile
C
What eventually happened to the Sumerian civilization due to declining agricultural productivity?
Cycles of social collapse occurred, and around 4000 BP, Sumer was replaced by Assyrian entities from the northwest.
How did Egyptian farmers unintentionally avoid salinization?
By allowing floodwaters to settle, silt was deposited, and salts were carried away with the receding water, preserving soil fertility.
True or False
Statement: Egyptians’ irrigation practices were based on superior knowledge compared to Mesopotamians.
Answer: False
Reason: The difference was due to Egypt’s unique environmental conditions, not necessarily superior knowledge.
How did the natural geography of Egypt, with its narrow strip along the Nile, affect its agricultural practices?
The geography limited civilization to the fertile Nile banks, making the annual flood cycle crucial for maintaining soil fertility and supporting agriculture.
What was a key difference between Egyptian and Mesopotamian irrigation practices?
a) Egyptians prevented river flooding, while Mesopotamians encouraged it
b) Egyptian irrigation relied on nutrient-rich silt from annual floods, while Mesopotamian irrigation led to soil salinization
c) Mesopotamians used canals exclusively, while Egyptians used only wells
d) Egyptian irrigation involved year-round flooding, while Mesopotamian irrigation was seasonal
b
How did the structure of the Nile River affect Egyptian civilization?
a) Its wide, branching delta made most of Egypt fertile
b) Its fast currents made irrigation difficult and unreliable
c) Its numerous tributaries provided fresh water to the entire region year-round
d) Its predictable, annual floods created a narrow fertile strip on either side of the river, supporting agricultural development
d
What is “salinization”?
Salinization is the accumulation of salt in the soil, often caused by irrigation in arid regions, which can reduce soil fertility and harm crop growth over time.
