Elisha's Spring-Group 3

The first human settlement started along the banks of the Jordan River at Jericho. This occurred because of a spring called Elisha's Spring, which provided a steady source of fresh water. In Sumeria, about 5000 years ago, water gave Girsu the ability to beat neighboring rival Umma. Girsu dug a canal to channel the waters of the Tigris. The water that allowed Girsu to sustain itself was ultimately the civiliation's downfall. Salt encroached into the water supply and blighted the wheat fields. The next great society to flourish due to their ability to tap into its surrounding fresh water resevoirs was Angkor. West Baray is the largest resevoir at Angkor; it is five miles across and still retains water. Angkor architecture consisted of canals linking resevoirs, rice paddies, and temples. The downfall of the Khmer civilization was due to the failure of its water system to deliver water. The Mayan civilization built resevoirs at Tikal, which could serve 10,000 people for eighteen months. The Mayan civilization saw its end after three cataclysmic droughts in its last century. Probably, the climate change proved too much for the Mayans.

Civilizations reliant on water use became vulnerable when climate change disrupted their ability to maintain fresh water for their populations. Jericho, on the other hand, which was more flexible with its maintenance of water did not easily succumb to climate change. Civilizations need to be careful with their reliance on water and not take it for granted. The End.