History of Water

Sept. 6, 2012

   It is truly eye-opening to consider the origins of “civilization,” and hence, the birth of the “city” with which we are familiar. Even looking at a map of the modern world and all its major cities, it is plainly obvious to see the importance of a city’s proximity to either a major river or the sea. New York City is by the sea, as is London, while Paris straddles the Seine just as an ancient city would. As for the early cities of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and ancient Rome, locations were chosen based on the suitability of the land and water resources to provide for the people. The people who congregated into civil groupings are the reason for the city, and gave rise to all human culture. As said in “Discovering the Global Past,” the city itself is not the important thing; the culture of the people is the real interesting part of the city.

   Of course, it is debatable whether or not humans have a natural instinct to band together, but when one considers the living world scientifically, the more fragile members of the animal kingdom do in fact band together. Schools of fish, flocks of birds, and dens of meerkats all find that there is in fact, “safety in numbers.” For those that might think that humans are not fragile, think of the following: Humans are, usually, no match for bears, lions, tigers, and other land-based predators. However, in a group, with weapons of various levels of sophistication, any animal on earth can be either trapped and/or killed. You have to imagine that one of the very first lessons learned by early hominids was that they had a much better chance at survival in a harsh, unforgiving world when everyone worked together for the good of the society.

   Most everyone knows that drinking water is vital for survival, but how often does one think about how important irrigation of crops is to the survival of the population? Especially today, when a consumer can go to the local grocery store and select any kind of fresh produce imaginable – even items that normally would not be locally available – how many people would give a second thought to how and where the food was produced? Only recently have more people made the conscious decision to know how and where their food is produced, but even so, if you really, really want a peach and the only peaches available are shipped in from thousands of miles away, how many people would say no?  The first time a large group of people was able to live comfortably and securely in a city, and have access to produce grown by way of irrigation, the precedent was set, and the state of human existence changed forever. The debate is whether the change was for the good or the bad. I know what I believe, but who’s to say?

   Then again, I never have attempted to “live off the land” for any long period of time, so maybe I would enjoy it. Doubtful though – I have become used to modern conveniences and technology the way an arctic penguin is used to snow!