A survey of the ancient levels of lakes, rivers and the sea, as well as changes in the compositions of stalagmites and sediments showed an astonishing correlation of climate changes with the emergence and collapse of civilizations in the Middle East. Each warm period was characterized by aridization, economic crisis and mass migration. Whereas cold periods brought abundant rain, prosperity and settlement in the arid lands. The authors thus concluded, that climate change was the decisive factor in the history surrounding the origins of the "cradle of civilization".