These are 33 papers from the International Symposium, The Basis of Civilization - Water Science?, held in Rome in December 2003. The increasing demand for water and spread of pollution have already led to a water scarcity problem in some areas. The symposium, looked at the rise of understanding in water science, from earliest times to the present day. It examined the impact on water resource development and management on society in China, India, Turkey, Serbia and Montenegro. Nine papers cover the reduction of risks involving water (both natural and man-made) and a further six papers discuss issues of governance in past and present contexts.