raw water. Lessons from Mesopotamia

About the Exhibition

This exhibition, themed on 'primordial water' in Mesopotamia, explores the influence of the first rivers on human civilization and the environment. Centered on the two 'rivers of story' found in scripture and the flood myths based on them, it addresses the earliest historical attempts at controlling water through artificial environmental modification in Mesopotamia. Drawing on the rich holdings of the Louvre's Near Eastern Antiquities department, the exhibition introduces a range of water-management technologies, including the earliest irrigation infrastructure — channels, bridges, aqueducts, and artificial lakes. It comprises a total of 30 works, connecting past and present environmental issues through a visual and intellectual exploration of artifacts from the Mesopotamian era. Visitors can gain deep insight into Mesopotamian water-management technology in particular and its impact on population, environment, and society.