How did Egyptian irrigation differ from Mesopotamian irrigation? Egyptians irrigated their crops continuously rather than seasonally like the Mesopotamians Egyptians used river water for irrigation, while the Mesopotamians used mountain springs. Egyptians let their fields lie fallow occasionally, while the Mesopotamians did not. Egyptians irrigated their crops seasonally rather than continuously like the Mesopotamians.

The correct statement distinguishing Egyptian irrigation from Mesopotamian irrigation is: **Egyptians irrigated their crops continuously rather than seasonally like the Mesopotamians.** ### Explanation: 1. **Continuous vs. Seasonal Irrigation:** - **Ancient Egypt:** Relied heavily on the **Nile River**'s predictable annual flooding. This allowed Egyptians to implement **continuous irrigation systems**, such as basin irrigation, where fields were divided into basins that could retain and manage water from the Nile throughout the growing season. - **Mesopotamia:** Situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Mesopotamians dealt with more **variable and less predictable flooding**. Their irrigation was often more **seasonal and dependent** on constructing canals and managing water flow actively, which required more intensive labor during specific periods. 2. **Use of Water Sources:** - While both civilizations utilized river water, **Mesopotamia's reliance** was primarily on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers rather than mountain springs. However, this distinction is less significant compared to the continuous versus seasonal irrigation practices. 3. **Fallow Fields:** - Both civilizations practiced agricultural strategies to maintain soil fertility, including letting fields lie fallow. This practice wasn’t a primary distinguishing factor between their irrigation methods. 4. **Irrigation Techniques:** - Egyptians benefited from the regularity of the Nile, allowing for more stable and continuous agricultural practices. - Mesopotamians had to develop more **complex irrigation networks** to manage less predictable water sources, leading to more seasonal irrigation efforts. ### Summary: The key difference lies in the **continuity and reliability** of water supply. **Egyptians** enjoyed a more **consistent irrigation framework** due to the **Nile's predictable flooding**, enabling **continuous irrigation**. In contrast, **Mesopotamians** had to manage a **more variable water supply**, resulting in **seasonal irrigation practices**. **Answer:** **First option** is correct. Egyptians irrigated their crops continuously rather than seasonally like the Mesopotamians.