Future of the Environment

How climate change caused the world’s first ever empire to collapse

Recently recovered artifacts are accounted for at the " Iraq Museum" in Baghdad, May 4, 2003. Museum staff have confirmed 27 pieces are still missing after looters entered the premises in the early hours after the fall of Baghdad. The museum's collection included Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Chaldean and Abbasid artifacts. - PBEAHUOPWCS

An ancient artefact from the Iraq Museum in Baghdad Image: REUTERS/ Petr Josek Snr

Vasile Ersek
Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Northumbria University, Newcastle
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The Akkad empire during the reign of Narâm-Sîn (2254-2218 BC). Mount Damavand is labelled in blue.
The Akkad empire during the reign of Narâm-Sîn (2254-2218 BC). Mount Damavand is labelled in blue. Image: Zunkir / Semhir / wiki, CC BY-SA
Sargon of Akkad – or maybe his son, Naram-Sin.
Sargon of Akkad – or maybe his son, Naram-Sin. Image: Iraqi Directorate General of Antiquities / wiki
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Mount Damavand is a ‘potentially active’ volcano, and the highest peak in Iran. Gol-e-Zard Cave is nearby.
Mount Damavand is a ‘potentially active’ volcano, and the highest peak in Iran. Gol-e-Zard Cave is nearby. Image: Vasile Ersek,Author provided
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Related topics:
Future of the EnvironmentClimate ChangeAdvanced MaterialsMiddle East and North Africa
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