Emergence of Civilization, Changes in Fluvio‐Deltaic Style, and Nutrient Redistribution Forced by Holocene Sea‐Level Rise

Abstract

During the mid‐Holocene, the first large‐scale civilizations emerged in lower alluvial systems after a marked decrease in sea‐level rise at 7–6 kyr. We show that as the landscapes of deltas and lower alluvial plains adjusted to this decrease in the rate of relative sea‐level rise, the abundance and location of resources available for human exploitation changed as did the network of waterways. This dynamic environmental evolution contributed to archaeological changes in the three fluvio‐deltaic settings considered herein: Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Huang He in China. Specifically, an increase in the scale and intensity of agricultural practice, and the focussing of power toward a single city can be interpreted as responses to these environmental changes. Other archaeological observations, and the cultural trajectories leading to the formation of the Primary States also need to be considered in light of these evolving landscapes.

Formation processes of coastal archaeological sites: A changing prehistoric scenario on the Atlantic shore of Uruguay

“…These sites were reoccupied with a higher frequency than other locations. In addition, the subsistence strategy as a whole also relied on the exploitation of lagoon shores, wetlands (which supplied freshwater fishes, terrestrial mammals, and plants), and the oceanic coast (source of shellfish and sea mammals) (Inda et al., ; Pennington et al., ). Note that shellfish only became available when environmental and geomorphological requirements converged at very specific times and locations (e.g., La Esmeralda site; Inda et al., ).…”

Sea-Level Rise Tipping Point of Delta Survival

“…Civilizations developed along river deltas (Pennington, Bunbury, and Hovius, 2016), and today their population is .351 million, and the deltaic freshwater and sediment discharge is 39% and 50%, respectively, of the global amount (Syvitski and Saito, 2007). An extensive agricultural system has developed within deltas and many are global trade centers.…”

Developed river deltas: are they sustainable?

“…Deltas often become centers of industry and trade. This in turn typically leads to the development of major urban and transportation centers (Ericson et al 2006, Bianchi and Allison 2009, Overeem and Syvitski 2009, Wang et al 2011b, Campell 2012, Kuenzer and Renaud 2012, Anthony et al 2014, Anthony et al 2015, Pennington et al 2016, Briney 2019, Lauria et al 2018.…”