Sumerian civilization may have been jump-started by the rise and fall of tides: Millennia before the first cities, early Mesopotamians probably harnessed tides to irrigate crops.

The article discusses a recent study proposing that early Mesopotamians utilized tidal irrigation to cultivate crops thousands of years before the establishment of urban centers. Researchers, including an archaeologist from Clemson University, analyzed a 25-meter soil core from the ancient city of Lagash, revealing evidence that the area was once coastal and benefited from tidal movements in the Tigris River. This method of irrigation allowed for agricultural development and population growth, challenging the traditional narrative that large-scale irrigation projects were necessary for the rise of cities. The findings suggest that the origins of urbanization in Mesopotamia were more grassroots and community-driven than previously thought, although some experts remain skeptical about the implications of the study. [Extracted from the article]