Reconstructing Ancient Hohokam Irrigation Systems in the Middle Gila River Valley, Arizona, United States of America

Zhu Tianduowa,Maurits W Ertsen,Kyle C Woodson

doi:10.1007/s10745-018-0023-x

Zhu Tianduowa, Maurits W Ertsen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-018-0023-x

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Abstract

We explore the concept of scales to examine emerging irrigation realities, i.e., connecting more agents within larger spaces - relates to the complexity of irrigation systems. Modern hydraulic models allow the inclusion of emerging multi-scale issues over time, including social issues related to different spatial and temporal scales. We show that the time needed to manage irrigation efficiently relates to the size of a system. By reconstructing ancient Hohokam irrigation systems in Arizona, we identify how longer-term extension of spatial scales created management problems beyond the scope of available technology. This approach allows greater understanding of how stresses in daily irrigation management may have impacted longer-term societal stability.

Highlights

Irrigation systems encompass hydraulics, hydrology and human behaviors across temporal and spatial scales (Ertsen 2010). Wittfogel (1957) claims that large-scale irrigation systems led to the rise of centralized states
In previous research (Zhu et al 2015), we studied the impacts of long-term climate change on Hohokam irrigation in the Middle Gila River Valley between 500 and 1500 AD
We model four Hokokam irrigations systems along the Middle Gila River Valley at different spatial scales, with the spatial extent of systems representing possible development trajectories over time: 1) Granite Knob (GK); 2) Santan (ST); 3) Gila Butte (GB), and 4) Snaketown (SN) (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Irrigation systems encompass hydraulics, hydrology and human behaviors across temporal and spatial scales (Ertsen 2010). Wittfogel (1957) claims that large-scale irrigation systems led to the rise of centralized states. Irrigation systems encompass hydraulics, hydrology and human behaviors across temporal and spatial scales (Ertsen 2010). Wittfogel (1957) claims that large-scale irrigation systems led to the rise of centralized states. Numerous scholars argue against Wittfogel’s theory (Adams 1966; Hole 1966; Lanning 1967; Butzer 1976; Hunt 1988; Maisels 1990; Postgate 1992; Billman 2002), but the social implications of controlling water in an agriculture-based society remain a central issue given the importance of irrigated food production for many ancient states. In previous research (Zhu et al 2015), we studied the impacts of long-term climate change on Hohokam irrigation in the Middle Gila River Valley between 500 and 1500 AD.

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