Stephanie Rost. Регулирование бассейна древнего Тигра в конце 3 го и начале 2 го Mill. BC

Stephanie Rost City University of New York MANAGING THE ANCIENT TIGRIS IN THE LATE 3RD AND EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM BC This paper will present the results of the study of cuneiform administrative documents on the management of water courses in the Umma Province of the Ur III period (21122004 It describes the integrated water management system that was adopted in ancient Umma during the late 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC, which controlled the ancient Tigris and its tributary not only for irrigation but also for river navigation and flood control. While irrigation was crucial for the production of the muchneeded agricultural surplus, water born transportation enabled efficient distribution throughout the state and its urban centers. Furthermore, given that peak flooding of the Euphrates and Tigris coincides with the harvest, flood control was essential for the economic health of the Ur III state. The second part of this paper will discuss how the question of water management in this regio