[SunkenCiv]

Iraqi Marsh Arabs poling mashoofs, traditional canoes, loaded with freshly cut reeds

Reed Goodman, Clemson University

[Tax-chick]

Of course.

[blackdog]

Captain Obvious confirms this universally understood geographic requirement for the early civilizations of man.

[rey]

More importantly, private property rights.

The Noblest Triumph.

https://www.amazon.com/Noblest-Triumph-Property-Prosperity-Through/dp/0312210833

[silent majority rising]

95% of early settlements were near water sources by necessity. They were necessary for crop growth, defense, and other things necessary for civilizations. That is why the Fertile crescent was the early site for human development (between the Tigris and Euphrates), and The Egyptian Empire on the Nile, etc.

[sauropod]

Bfl study.

[PIF]

Just as rivers and tides shaped our current civilization, so too they shaped the previous one, destroyed during the Younger Dryas event, and now under hundreds of feet of ocean water and uncountable feet of silt.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Researchers argue that this led to the development of social complexity, labor specialization, and hierarchical political structures, since the situation required large-scale resource management on a state-wide level.

And so led to the first armies rather then war bands.

Maybe.

[Tell It Right]

The research shows that between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, the Persian Gulf extended further inland, and tides pushed fresh water twice daily up into the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Are they starting to admit that the current sea levels aren't the highest ever? LOL (For some reason I have Rush's ta-dut-dut, ta-dut-dut "global warming update" in my head. LOL)

By the way, the Persian Gulf being extended further inland 7,000 to 5,000 years ago seems to correspond with the Holocene Climate Optimum that FReepers already knew about (graph below getting posted every now and then).

[ScottHammett]

Please show the work that supports your timelines.