How did early irrigation systems work?

Early irrigation systems typically involved the diversion of water from rivers or natural sources to agricultural fields. Farmers constructed channels, ditches, or canals to guide water to their crops, often using gravity to facilitate the flow. They also employed techniques like flood irrigation, where fields were flooded during certain seasons, and basin irrigation, which involved creating small basins to capture and retain water. These methods allowed for more consistent water supply, improving crop yields and enabling agriculture in arid regions.