Climate Change : Environment and Civilization in the Middle East

This survey of the ancient levels of lakes, rivers and the sea, as well as changes in the compositions of stalagmites and sediments reveals an astonishing correlation of climate changes with the emergence and collapse of civilizations in the Middle East.

Each warm period has been characterized by aridization, economic crisis and mass migration, whereas cold periods brought abundant rain, prosperity and settlement in the arid lands.

The authors conclude that climate change has been the decisive factor in the history surrounding the origins of the "cradle of civilization".