Mesopotamian agriculture

Agriculture was the most important activity that sustained the economy of the inhabitants of Mesopotamia.

It is important to mention that agriculture developed as the main economic activity in Mesopotamia. This was due to the fact that they knew how to take advantage of their geographical proximity to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Which helped make the land very fertile.

However, that same geographical position caused them many problems due to the great floods that these rivers caused and the droughts that affected them. That forced them to use agricultural technology to create sophisticated irrigation and drainage systems through the construction of dams. Artificial irrigation methods were invented in Mesopotamia.

Of course, with the adequate irrigation of the soils and their natural fertility they managed to produce excellent crops. Likewise, very abundant and diverse harvests were generated. It can be said that when these peoples stopped being nomads and became sedentary they gave rise to agriculture. Because the nomads were only dedicated to gathering food and did not produce. When they became sedentary, they began to dedicate themselves to the production of their satisfiers, their initial activities were agriculture and livestock.

How the agricultural work was carried out

The agricultural activity followed the following steps:

Step 1

Usually, agricultural activities began in the fall. It began with the irrigation of the soils and then began the sowing process. They were very careful work, the amount of grain that was needed and the distance that had to be established between the furrows was calculated. The tools that would be used for this work were also chosen.

Step 2

Then the conditions of the regular irrigation of the crops were ensured. But during the season of the year that the plantings were carried out, the course of the rivers was very low. So they learned to control flood and flood water through the use of dams. Now, when there was a drought, they used irrigation canals. In this way, a periodic irrigation system was maintained.

Step 3

Finally there was the phase of harvesting the crops. When collecting the grains and crops, they were transported to the warehouses where they were stored. Generally these warehouses were in temples and palaces. In the least cases, the warehouses were owned by private individuals.

Important aspects of Mesopotamian agriculture

Among some important points of Mesopotamian agriculture we find:

1. Differences in soil fertility

Without a doubt, the fertility of the soils was not homogeneous. The lands located to the south of their territory were very fertile plains. However, the northern lands of their territory were very arid and with very uneven terrain. This meant that agricultural work was not easy for the inhabitants of Mesopotamia.

2. Role of the State

Indeed, the State played a prominent role in agriculture, since it implemented a management system for all these activities. The State was also responsible for carrying out the construction of public works such as canals, dams and drains that would facilitate agricultural work.

In addition, all agricultural work was carried out for the benefit of the State. Since the peasants produced for themselves and to support the kings and their leaders. All the peasants in charge of agricultural work paid taxes to the State.

Of course, with the taxes the State built canals to guarantee the water supply in the cultivated fields. They were generally rectangular to cover a larger area of ​​land. The canals were also used for river transport.

3. The Tigris and the Euphrates

Likewise, the Tigris and the Euphrates played a transcendental role in the fertility of the land. But, generally during the months of April and May they grew and overflowed. This caused severe flooding especially in the southern part of the territory. This forced its inhabitants to design and build dikes and canals. These works helped to control the flooding of the rivers and allowed them to take advantage of the water when it was scarce.

4. Agriculture and trade

Similarly, the efficient development of agricultural tasks allowed them to produce abundant crops, these surpluses were used to carry out commercial activities. The surpluses of their agricultural products were used to be exchanged for raw materials that they could not produce. Their agricultural production allowed them to obtain wood, copper, tin, ivory, precious stones among some of the most important.

Main agricultural products

Among the main agricultural crops of Mesopotamia we find:

• Cereals such as barley, wheat, rye, and sorghum.
• Legumes such as lentils, onion and garlic.
• Date palm, olive trees, figs and grapes.
• Sesame Sesame oil was an essential element of his diet.

Finally, we can say that Mesopotamia's agriculture was the main sustenance of its economy. To optimize agricultural work, they were based on the use of water resources and the application of appropriate technology. With this they achieved abundant and varied harvests. They took advantage of the natural fertility of the soil and built canals that ensured regular artificial irrigation of their crops.