Ancient Irrigation System Discovered in the Eridu Region of Southern Iraq

An international team of archaeologists and geologists has discovered an extraordinarily well-preserved ancient irrigation network in the Eridu region of southern Iraq, dating from the 6th millennium BCE to the 1st millennium BCE. This finding offers significant insights into early agricultural practices in Mesopotamia, shedding light on ancient water management skills.

Agricultural activities in Mesopotamia relied heavily on the Euphrates River and its tributaries. However, many ancient irrigation structures have been buried under alluvial deposits or replaced by newer systems over time. Eridu has managed to preserve its archaeological landscape due to its abandonment following the shifting of the Euphrates River’s course. This unique situation has allowed researchers to accurately identify and map a complex network of irrigation channels dating back to before the 1st millennium BCE.

Led by geoarchaeologist Jaafar Jotheri from Durham University, the team adopted an interdisciplinary approach to study the ancient irrigation system, combining geomorphological analysis, historical map reviews, and advanced remote sensing technologies. High-resolution satellite images obtained from the 1960s CORONA program, along with drone and ground photographs, were used to validate the findings.

The research identified over 200 main channels directly connected to the ancient Euphrates River, as well as more than 4,000 smaller lateral channels linked to over 700 farms. This intricate irrigation network showcases the advanced water management skills of ancient Mesopotamian farmers. High river embankments facilitated the flow of water by gravity to surrounding fields, while crevasses in the embankments effectively distributed water to the floodplain.

The study indicates that the irrigation system evolved over centuries and required significant labor and expertise for maintenance. Plans are underway to date each channel, and comparing the designs of these channels with descriptions in ancient cuneiform texts could provide valuable insights into agricultural management in Mesopotamia.

This project is funded by the British Institute for the Study of Iraq in London and is a collaborative effort between Durham University, Al-Qadisiyah University in Iraq, and Newcastle University in the UK. The discovery in Eridu offers a new perspective on ancient agricultural practices and water management, deepening our understanding of Mesopotamian history.

Jotheri J, Rokan M, Al-Ghanim A, Rayne L, de Gruchy M, Alabdan R. Identifying the preserved network of irrigation canals in the Eridu region, southern Mesopotamia. Antiquity. Published online 2025:1-7. doi:10.15184/aqy.2025.19

Cover photo: Remains of small canals at Eridu. Jaafar Jotheri et al, Antiquity/Durham University