why was farming a challenge in mesopotamia, and how did the people overcome it?

Answer 1

Mesopotamia, as was Egypt, was blessed with yearly flooding from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Unlike Egypt, Mesopotamia was inundated with a large amount of silt. This silt was a constant cause of problems in the man made irrigation systems. The timing of the floods also hindered the Mesopotamians. The floods came in late spring or early summer from the melting of snows in the Turkish mountains. This was too late for the spring crop and two early for the autumn crops. In addition, in the area of Mesopotamia there was, right below the surface, a large concentration of salt deposits. This high saline content of the soil made farming in this area much more complex and difficult than was the case in Egypt. In addition, this area suffered from contestant political instability and wars. Any time the irrigation ditches were not able to be maintained, a large food shortage would ensue.

Answer 2

Unpredictable flooding left them with no choice but to depend on a totalitarian govt. to decide questions of irrigation and property rights. Arable land was too precious to be left to whim. Only river valleys were at all fertile and time changed that quite often.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure the history book you're ignoring will give you that answer.

Answer 4

john deere didn't invent the tractor yet.....