Around 5000 BC farmers in the Middle East and ancient Egypt developed irrigation

Prehistoric man seems to have realized that rainfall was often inadequate for his crops because irrigation was being practiced at the beginning of recorded history. During that time, reliably growing crops such as wheat depended upon the availability of fresh water.

As more crops are grown, farmers in the Middle Eats and Egypt develop methods of harnessing water from nearby rivers called irrigation.

By digging ditches around the crop, farmers direct the water from the river to the crops providing a steady supply of water.  In Egypt, farmers harness the floodwaters from the Nile River.

The development of irrigation marks a major step in the expansion of agriculture. It was used in Egypt about 5000 BC, was well developed in Babylonia and China by 2000 BC or earlier, ad was widely practiced in the Middle East and along the eastern Mediterranean.

The Egyptians and Babylonians built dams to store water the Persian built extensive tunnels to bring water down from the hills, many are in use today.

Around 3100 BC a ruler named Menes united Egypt and established first dynasty or ruling family. One of the King Menes’ first great achievements after unifying Egypt was construction of an irrigation project.
Around 5000 BC farmers in the Middle East and ancient Egypt developed irrigation