A group of researchers at the University of York is studying on a 700-year old abandoned agricultural site in Tanzania. The researchers have discovered that soil abrasion benefited farming practices for some 500 years.

The study has also revealed that the historical practices of capturing soils. The scientists stated that the soil which was eroded from the hillside could be precious to modern day farming techniques. The study shows that complicated irrigation systems and terraces at the site of Engaruka were not built to prevent soil erosion as previously thought. However, the system was built to capture eroded sediments to feed the arid landscape below.

As per the scientists the site (Engaruka) first came under the spotlight in 1935 and was thought to be a 'lost city' of up to 40,000 inhabitants. It has since been known as the remains of the largest abandoned system of irrigated agricultural fields and terraces in sub-Saharan Africa. As per previous beliefs, the site was puzzlingly abandoned 200 years ago due to climate change or deforestation reducing the water supply to the fields.

By: Priyanka Negi

Content: www.sciencedaily.com