In 1891, the American portrait artist John Singer Sargent painted Bedouin Women Carrying Water Jars. The scene he depicts, three veiled Arab women holding clay jars above their heads as they walk, would have been completely unremarkable in the Arab world at the time – indeed, unremarkable in many rural areas of the region even today.
But in the Middle East’s cities, as in much of the rest of the world, the water jar has been replaced in the past century with modern plastic bottles and industrial water storage units on rooftops. The ubiquity of these rooftop storage units in the region’s urban skylines, for instance, and the role they play in the household, can even be seen as a cultural expression of the relationship between its cities and their water supply.
Middle Eastern countries are some of the most water-scarce in the world. This partly shapes their relationships with each other and the international community, too. Modern water infrastructure, from the rooftop storage units to larger infrastructure like dams, aquifers and water treatment plants, are a vital part of daily life.
But like plastic water bottles, we know that not all modern water infrastructure in the region has been sustainable, or used sustainably. The clay jars of Sargent’s painting remind us of the historical, nature-based solutions to dealing with water scarcity used in the area throughout history. And they might even help to inspire solutions for the future. There is great potential for more effective infrastructure and sustainable behaviours, inspired by history, to enable the survivability of harsh landscapes.
The Fertile Crescent and the Levant gave rise to some of the world’s earliest civilisations. The world’s oldest loaf of bread, baked 14,500 years ago, was discovered at the edge of the Crescent, in north-eastern Jordan. Wheat growing still holds cultural significance in the region, but poor historical urban planning, desertification and a shrinking water supply mean it is increasingly difficult for urban, rural, settled and nomadic communities to supply their own needs. In Jordan today, for instance, it is often cheaper to buy imported bread.
The bread of the region thousands of years ago was baked – and the wheat it was made of grown – in an altogether different world. Archaeological sites show us that the Fertile Crescent’s thriving ancient civilisations developed varied and often interconnected water infrastructures to mitigate risks that are still common today, like flash flooding and the desertification of arable land.
Another, a more famous Jordanian archaeological site, Petra, has flooded several times in recent years, notably in 2018 and 2022. But those who initially developed the ancient city knew what they were doing. Archaeologists have mapped an interconnected water infrastructure system developed over centuries, and have worked to restore the terracing systems that previously protected Petra from flash flood damage.
North of the Azraq Basin, meanwhile, which is still home to small villages and Bedouin communities, wadi walls or barrages were constructed in the Neolithic period, more than 6,000 years ago, to redirect floodwater to agricultural lands. In the Bronze Age, more than 3,000 years ago, inhabitants of Jawa – Jordan’s oldest site of urban development – built an extensive hydraulic system to capture winter rainfall runoff, redirecting it to manmade reservoirs or cisterns.
We might now consider the 20th-century period of poorly controlled water consumption as a cultural recession of sorts
Not all ancient or historical examples are helpful in today’s context. Wells are an example. Before the 1950s, Levantine cities were still small and largely supplied by neighbouring springs. The water sources that feed local rivers had not yet been dammed or diverted, and neighbouring countries required less water than they do today.
These factors contributed to reducing groundwater levels, which were further exacerbated by modern patterns of well drilling. Today, illegal well drilling and associated tanker water deliveries threaten the ability to supply water to the population.
But other ancient practices are making a comeback for the better. The Covid-19 pandemic enabled a revival of home gardening in many urban areas as both a relaxing hobby and a low-cost form of food production. Captured and stored rainwater offers a convenient supply for home gardens without pressuring the freshwater supply.
Historical sites and practices help us to make sense of what the regional culture and landscape were once like but can also inspire us to think about the balance between state and individual contributions to water management. That is important as the region’s environment continues to change. Former agricultural lands are becoming increasingly arid, with some countries’ former lush, green landscapes now a figment of living memory.
Many of the successes of the past came out of a shared understanding between the leaders of the time, who directed the construction of innovative infrastructures that improved water access and managed flood risks, and individuals who recognised how their engagements with water and the environment either enabled or hindered their lives.
In the 20th century, the opportunity to use new technologies to maximise water production may have helped drive economic development, but also distorted our cultural relationship with water and, in the long term, may have obscured the wider picture of water security. We might now consider that period of poorly controlled water consumption as a cultural recession of sorts.
But now, more countries’ leaders and citizens alike agree on the need for stability in resource management, and are looking to understand how localised approaches to water management were the foundation of the ancient civilisations that the region is so proud of today. We may soon see a period of revival in many parts of the region’s cultural relationship with water. And that will be critical for a more water-secure future.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
more from Janine di Giovanni
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More coverage from the Future Forum
The years Ramadan fell in May
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
SPEC%20SHEET
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
SPECS
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Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
The five pillars of Islam
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Read more about the coronavirus
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Take Me Apart
Kelela
(Warp)
