An abandoned medieval canal in the Aral Sea basin in Central Asia.
Genghis Khan and his marauding Mongol horsemen were probably not responsible for the demise of Central Asia’s medieval river civilisations around 700 years ago, fresh research suggests.
Instead, climate change was to blame, according to research led by the University of Lincoln in England.
The Aral Sea basin in Central Asia and the major rivers flowing through the region were once home to advanced river civilizations which used floodwater to irrigate farmland.
The region’s decline is often attributed to the devastating Mongol invasion of the early 13th century, but new research of long-term river dynamics and ancient irrigation networks shows the changing climate and dryer conditions may have been the real cause.
Researchers investigate an abandoned medieval canal, Otrar oasis, Kazakhstan.
Credit: University of Lincoln A new study challenges the long-held view that the destruction of Central Asia s medieval river civilizations was a direct result of the Mongol invasion in the early 13th century CE.
The Aral Sea basin in Central Asia and the major rivers flowing through the region were once home to advanced river civilizations which used floodwater irrigation to farm.
The region s decline is often attributed to the devastating Mongol invasion of the early 13th century, but new research of long-term river dynamics and ancient irrigation networks shows the changing climate and dryer conditions may have been the real cause.
Central Asia’s River Civilizations Vanished due to Climate Change, not Mongol Invasion
Written by AZoCleantechDec 16 2020
According to a new study, the long-held view that Central Asia’s medieval river civilizations were destroyed directly due to the Mongol invasion in the early 13
th century CE is not right.
Researchers investigate an abandoned medieval canal, Otrar oasis, Kazakhstan. Image Credit: University of Lincoln.
The Aral Sea basin located in Central Asia and the significant rivers flowing via the region were previously home to modern river civilizations that used floodwater irrigation for farming.
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The destruction of the region is usually attributed to the catastrophic Mongol invasion of the early 13
Credit: University of Lincoln
A new study challenges the long-held view that the destruction of Central Asia s medieval river civilizations was a direct result of the Mongol invasion in the early 13th century CE.
The Aral Sea basin in Central Asia and the major rivers flowing through the region were once home to advanced river civilizations which used floodwater irrigation to farm.
The region s decline is often attributed to the devastating Mongol invasion of the early 13th century, but new research of long-term river dynamics and ancient irrigation networks shows the changing climate and dryer conditions may have been the real cause.