Archaeologists have uncovered an extensive irrigation system, including canals and farms, near Sumerian Eridu, an ancient Mesopotamian city long believed to be the oldest in history. The discovery sheds new light on early water management techniques, unveiling one of the region’s most well-preserved networks of canals.
A team of researchers from multiple disciplines used historical maps, satellite imagery, and advanced remote sensing to identify the canals, many of which remain intact. The findings confirm that Eridu was once a center of sophisticated agricultural planning, with a highly organized water distribution system that supported early urban settlements.
Ancient engineering preserved by nature
Mesopotamian civilizations relied on the Euphrates River for farming for centuries. People built canals to irrigate fields, allowing cities to grow and thrive. However, most ancient irrigation systems were buried by sediment or altered by later civilizations, making it difficult to study early agricultural methods.
The Eridu region offers a rare exception. Long ago, the Euphrates shifted course, forcing people to abandon the area.
Unlike other Mesopotamian sites where the river changes disrupted irrigation systems, Eridu’s landscape remained untouched. This allowed researchers to map an irrigation network dating back to the first millennium BCE.
Extensive canal network and farms identified
The study revealed a massive system of over 200 primary canals, some stretching up to 9 kilometers in length and 5 meters wide. These were directly linked to an ancient course of the Euphrates, ensuring a steady water supply.
Additionally, researchers identified 4,000 smaller canals, ranging from 10 to 200 meters, which directed water to farmland. Around 700 farms, organized along these secondary canals, varied in size from 500 to 20,000 square meters, demonstrating an advanced and equitable water distribution system.
The scale and precision of this irrigation network suggest a high level of social organization and engineering expertise. These were not just small-scale farming ditches. This was a coordinated effort to manage water efficiently across a large area.
Declassified US military photos to map canals
Archaeologists combined various technologies to map the canals. They examined satellite images, including declassified US military photos from the 1960s, drone footage, and on-the-ground photography.
These tools helped distinguish man-made canals from natural waterways by analyzing water flow, terrain levels, and signs of hydraulic control structures such as dikes and artificial river openings.
The ability to trace such a detailed irrigation system highlights how early civilizations adapted to their environment.
While the discovery confirms the irrigation network’s importance, researchers now face the challenge of establishing a precise timeline for its construction and use. They plan to excavate key sites and analyze soil layers for sediment dating.
