Summary
So let's summarize the important ideas that should remain when this unit is completed:
- The Nile Valley was settled initially in response to climate change. The end of the Holocene Wet Phase drove pastoral nomads from the growing Sahara desert to settle along a permanent source of water (the Nile) where they developed agricultural practices, art, writing and a strong centralized government.
- Dynastic Egypt's prosperity was directly related to the Nile flood levels. At times of adequate water supply, there was a rich and strong central government. At times of poor water supply, this political strength disintegrated and the region fell prey to invading forces and anarchy.
- Northern Africa (the whole Nile basin) has been drying out slowly over the past 10,000 years. This change is not related to human burning of fossil fuels, which became a factor only in the most recent 150 years.
- The levels of the Nile flood, as measured in the Roda Nilometer, can serve as a proxy for global climate parameters. When there is ample rain in the Nile headwaters regions, the climate is warm in Europe. When drought grips the Nile basin, the climate is cold in Europe.
An important reminder: Climate and climate change cause variations in the flood and flow of the Nile, not the other way around. That is, we know that the Nile River itself does not cause climate change. It merely reflects the rain patterns in two very different regions: the seasonal flood tells us how much rain fell in the Ethiopian Highlands (headwaters of the Blue Nile), whereas the non-flood background flow levels tell us how much rain fell in the equatorial lakes region (headwaters of the White Nile).
Deliverables
REMINDER: The following items are due by the end of this lesson (see the Calendar tab in ANGEL for specific due dates). Detailed information about the assignments and submission directions are included in this lesson.
- Discussion Forum: Climate of Africa, Part II
- Assignment: Climate Change Project, Part A
