Irrigation on the Tehran Plain, Iran: Tepe Pardis — The site of a possible Neolithic irrigation feature?

Carbon stable isotope analysis of cereal remains as a way to reconstruct water availability: preliminary results

“…It is possible that forms of artificial irrigation which are archaeologically less visible were in use at this earlier time already; however, archaeologists are currently lacking the methodological tools to detect these with sufficient certainty. Understanding the nature of the early settlements in arid regions of the Near East poses a similar problem: Although numerous examples of elaborate water management convincing, as does the dating of the structure (Gillmore et al 2009). Nevertheless, as with many structural remains and despite the fact that it resembles modern irrigation channels (Gillmore et al 2009), it is difficult to be sure that it was indeed used for crop irrigation.…”

“…Understanding the nature of the early settlements in arid regions of the Near East poses a similar problem: Although numerous examples of elaborate water management convincing, as does the dating of the structure (Gillmore et al 2009). Nevertheless, as with many structural remains and despite the fact that it resembles modern irrigation channels (Gillmore et al 2009), it is difficult to be sure that it was indeed used for crop irrigation. It is equally possible that it was used for some other purpose, for example to transport water to a reservoir.…”

River Systems and the Anthropocene: A Late Pleistocene and Holocene Timeline for Human Influence

“…The earliest archaeological evidence for irrigated farming comes from the Near East and Egypt approximately 8000 years ago, developing across the Near East and Mediterranean over the following millennia and emerging independently in the Indian Subcontinent and China [9,60,129]. Irrigation led to the development of hydraulic technology [133,134] and may be the most important environmental modification practised intentionally by humans [60]. In the geological record, identification of irrigation channels requires analysis of conduit form, sediments, and artefacts [134][135][136][137].…”

“…Irrigation led to the development of hydraulic technology [133,134] and may be the most important environmental modification practised intentionally by humans [60]. In the geological record, identification of irrigation channels requires analysis of conduit form, sediments, and artefacts [134][135][136][137].…”

The sustainability of ancient water control techniques in Iran: an overview

“…As a result the urban revolution was retarded, and society continued in its prehistoric stage for centuries '' (1954, p. 42). Excavation at Tepe Pardis has demonstrated the presence of a Neolithic (radiocarbon dated to 5220-4990 BC) irrigation channel, alongside evidence of shifting river channels running past the site (Fazeli et al 2007;Gillmore et al 2009). This early adaptation of the landscape to provide irrigation highlights the importance of water in sustaining settlements in the Central Plateau.…”