Type:		Generic
Title:		The Genesis and Collapse of Third Millennium North Mesopotamian Civilization
Author(s):		Weiss, H.; Courty, M. A.; Wetterstrom, W.; Guichard, F.; Senior, L.; Meadow, R.; Curnow, A.
Date:		1993/08/20
Abstract:		Archaeological and soil-stratigraphic data define the origin, growth, and collapse of Subir, the third millennium rain-fed agriculture civilization of northern Mesopotamia on the Habur Plains of Syria. At 2200 B. C., a marked increase in aridity and wind circulation, subsequent to a volcanic eruption, induced a considerable degradation of land-use conditions. After four centuries of urban life, this abrupt climatic change evidently caused abandonment of Tell Leilan, regional desertion, and collapse of the Akkadian empire based in southern Mesopotamia. Synchronous collapse in adjacent regions suggests that the impact of the abrupt climatic change was extensive.
Publisher:		American Association for the Advancement of Science
Journal (full):		Science
Volume:		261
Issue:		5124
Start Page:		995
End Page:		1004
Link:		http://science.sciencemag.org/content/261/5124/995.abstract
Link (PDF):		http://science.sciencemag.org/content/261/5124/995.full.pdf