16. salinization

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Salinization is the process by which water-soluble salts accumulate in the soil. The process causes concern in resources, as the excess amount of salt stops the growth of crops, not allowing them to take up water. It can occur naturally or due to conditions resulting from management practices. Salinization happens when the slight amounts of salt in rainfall is left behind in the soil after the plants use up the water. It is one of the reasons for the fall of Sumer. The climate of the dynasty was experiencing a long, dry spell, and much of the agricultural land wasn't being used. The economic documents recovered show a change from wheat to the more salt-resistant barely in order to combat salinization. However, much of the land was still abandoned, which made feeding the population harder, prices to rise, trade to stop, and government communications to fail. Salinization was one of the main reasons for the demise of Sumer.

Cracks in the ground due to salinization.

Sources: [[1]] [[2]] Ancient Origins, page 98.

Julia Smith