ECOSYSTEMS > INLAND OREGON > VALLEYS
Valleys have always played an important role for human settlement. If you think about ancient history, some of the greatest, most successful cultures grew up around valleys, including those in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and China. The geography of a valley can make it appealing for human settlement, regardless of the era. The sheltering mountains will moderate weather while providing resources which are accessible yet different from those found on the valley floor. If you want to build a house or plant a farm, the generally flat, fertile valley floor would also be very appealing. And, as was certainly important for some of your earliest ancestors, valleys provide natural security against those who might want to attack your village or raid your crops.
Valleys have always played an important role for human settlement. If you think about ancient history, some of the greatest, most successful cultures grew up around valleys, including those in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and China. The geography of a valley can make it appealing for human settlement, regardless of the era. The sheltering mountains will moderate weather while providing resources which are accessible yet different from those found on the valley floor. If you want to build a house or plant a farm, the generally flat, fertile valley floor would also be very appealing. And, as was certainly important for some of your earliest ancestors, valleys provide natural security against those who might want to attack your village or raid your crops.
The Role of Water
But perhaps the most enticing feature would be the presence of water. Many valleys are dominated by a single river while others contain numerous waterways essential for urban development and the raising of livestock. As water drains off the surrounding mountains and moves through the valley, it replenishes the soil, depositing alluvium and other organic material which stimulates the growth of crops. Additionally, the various streams and rivers crisscrossing the valley may have provided a convenient source of transportation or energy.
Take a moment to think about where you live. Are there mountains all around and a river nearby? Maybe you’re a valley dweller after all?
Take a moment to think about where you live. Are there mountains all around and a river nearby? Maybe you’re a valley dweller after all?
River Valley Civilizations
Due to the abundance of water, river valleys often allowed early humans to thrive and expand. In fact, in Europe, Africa and Asia, some of the earliest civilizations grew out of the fertile plains of the river valley. These river valley civilizations were:
Related Features: Valley vs. Canyon | So What's the Big Deal About Water? | The Hydrologic Cycle | Water on a Cosmic Scale
- Huang Ho River, China: earliest settlements approximately 4000 to 1000 B.C.E.
- Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Iraq: earliest settlements approximately 3500 to 1600 B.C.E.
- Nile River, Egypt: earliest settlements approximately 3000 to 2000 B.C.E.
- Indus River, India and Pakistan: earliest settlements approximately 2500 to 1700 B.C.E.
Related Features: Valley vs. Canyon | So What's the Big Deal About Water? | The Hydrologic Cycle | Water on a Cosmic Scale