A new study published in *PLOS One* argues that the rise of Sumer was driven by tidal dynamics, river flows, and sedimentation at the head of the Persian Gulf. From 7,000 to 5,000 years ago, tidal freshwater influx enabled early agriculture and social complexity; the subsequent loss of tidal access prompted large‑scale irrigation and flood protection, shaping Sumer’s urban and cultural development.
The article explores the origins of the Marduk mythos, tracing its roots back to the Akkadian Period and the legends surrounding Naram-Sin. It argues that Marduk's rise to prominence was not solely a Babylonian phenomenon but was connected to earlier Mesopotamian traditions and the mythos of Akkadian rulers and gods.
