How were ancient civilizations born while being at the mercy of an ever-changing
climate? Did they perish again?
As shown in Fig. 1.1, the formation of the oldest four significant civilizations
including Mesopotamian civilization (approximately 3500 B.C.), Egyptian civilization (approximately 3000 B.C.), the Indus River civilization (approximately 2300 B.
C.), and Chinese civilization (Yellow River/Yangtze civilization) (approximately
2500 B.C.) between 3500 and 2000 B.C. have still not been completely elucidated.
Research suggests that 5500 years ago, the living environment where humans had
dispersed had become severe due to dryness and global cooling. As such, the
population was concentrated by migration to lands surrounding rivers with better
conditions. There are theories that have been attributed to the significant role in
influencing the emergence of civilization, such as large-scale farming practices to
support the population (Fagan 2004; Zhu 1973). In other words, climate change is
considered a significant cause of the emergence of an ancient civilization.
For example, 6000–7000 years ago, the current Sahara Desert was an oasis
replete with lakes at that time. It was an ideal home for our African ancestors.
However, the population was relatively scattered, such that the population pressure
was small, and it was not easy to form a civilized society. Around 5500 years ago,
the climate in Africa changed significantly to colder and drier conditions. The desert
oasis began to disappear, as lakes dried up and dunes activated, and these ancestors
were forced to leave. Herdsmen living in the Sahara Desert migrated to the Nile
River valley or delta plain. The population in Upper Egypt began to expand
northward to Lower Egypt, and the migration of people from different regions to
the Nile Valley or delta region increased the population pressure in this area. To
resolve this pressure from population growth, humans began to artificially irrigate
and develop adaptive technological innovations. Agricultural production began to
increase, and there was surplus wealth. The increase in surplus wealth promoted the
division of labor in the handicraft industry.
These developments had triggered the birth of a nation. Therefore, it may be
inferred that climate change around 5500 years ago promoted the formation of
ancient Egyptian civilization (Fagan 2004; Wang 2005).
Firstly, for civilization to occur, the production of food by farming and the
production of surplus agricultural products are necessary. Therefore, the formation
and development of human civilization is considered to be inextricably linked to
climate change. The following conditions are key for the development and prosperity of ancient civilization:
1. The presence of a large river: common to all four civilizations is agricultural
development, and as such, abundant water resources are required. All of the four
largest ancient civilizations were located within a river basin; the Egyptian
civilization was located around the Nile River, the Mesopotamian civilization
was located around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Indus civilization was
located around the Indus River, and the Yellow River and Yangtze civilizations
were located around the Yellow and Yangtze rivers (Fig. 1.2).
6
W. Zhou
climate? Did they perish again?
As shown in Fig. 1.1, the formation of the oldest four significant civilizations
including Mesopotamian civilization (approximately 3500 B.C.), Egyptian civilization (approximately 3000 B.C.), the Indus River civilization (approximately 2300 B.
C.), and Chinese civilization (Yellow River/Yangtze civilization) (approximately
2500 B.C.) between 3500 and 2000 B.C. have still not been completely elucidated.
Research suggests that 5500 years ago, the living environment where humans had
dispersed had become severe due to dryness and global cooling. As such, the
population was concentrated by migration to lands surrounding rivers with better
conditions. There are theories that have been attributed to the significant role in
influencing the emergence of civilization, such as large-scale farming practices to
support the population (Fagan 2004; Zhu 1973). In other words, climate change is
considered a significant cause of the emergence of an ancient civilization.
For example, 6000–7000 years ago, the current Sahara Desert was an oasis
replete with lakes at that time. It was an ideal home for our African ancestors.
However, the population was relatively scattered, such that the population pressure
was small, and it was not easy to form a civilized society. Around 5500 years ago,
the climate in Africa changed significantly to colder and drier conditions. The desert
oasis began to disappear, as lakes dried up and dunes activated, and these ancestors
were forced to leave. Herdsmen living in the Sahara Desert migrated to the Nile
River valley or delta plain. The population in Upper Egypt began to expand
northward to Lower Egypt, and the migration of people from different regions to
the Nile Valley or delta region increased the population pressure in this area. To
resolve this pressure from population growth, humans began to artificially irrigate
and develop adaptive technological innovations. Agricultural production began to
increase, and there was surplus wealth. The increase in surplus wealth promoted the
division of labor in the handicraft industry.
These developments had triggered the birth of a nation. Therefore, it may be
inferred that climate change around 5500 years ago promoted the formation of
ancient Egyptian civilization (Fagan 2004; Wang 2005).
Firstly, for civilization to occur, the production of food by farming and the
production of surplus agricultural products are necessary. Therefore, the formation
and development of human civilization is considered to be inextricably linked to
climate change. The following conditions are key for the development and prosperity of ancient civilization:
1. The presence of a large river: common to all four civilizations is agricultural
development, and as such, abundant water resources are required. All of the four
largest ancient civilizations were located within a river basin; the Egyptian
civilization was located around the Nile River, the Mesopotamian civilization
was located around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the Indus civilization was
located around the Indus River, and the Yellow River and Yangtze civilizations
were located around the Yellow and Yangtze rivers (Fig. 1.2).
6
W. Zhou