Cover -- Contents -- FOREWORD -- INTRODUCTION -- CHAPTER ONE - HISTORY OF THE IRAQI MARSHES -- 1. Formation of the Marshes -- 2. Ancient History: Sumerians, Garden of Eden and the Epic of Gilgamesh -- 3. The Marshes during the Arab and Ottoman Empires -- 4. Saddat al-Hindiyah (Indian Barrage) -- 5. British and Hashemite Monarchy Rule -- 4. Destruction of the Marshes during the Saddam Era -- 5. Impact of Recent Conflicts -- 6. The Status of the Iraqi Marshlands Today. -- CHAPTER TWO - PEOPLE AND CULTURE -- General Overview -- 1. Social Customs -- 2. Tribal Culture -- 3. Religious Beliefs & Ethnicity -- 4. Way of Life, etc., of Marsh Dwellers -- CHAPTER THREE - ARTS AND CRAFTS -- General -- 1. Arts and Crafts -- 1. Reed Mats -- 2. Carpets -- 3. House furniture -- 4. Baskets -- 5. Pottery vessels -- 6. Copper containers -- 7. Wooden tools/articles -- 8. Miscellaneous tools -- 9. Coffee preparation tools -- 10. Clay/mud storage and ancillary structures -- 11. Boats (balam) -- 12. Traditional Dress -- CHAPTER FOUR - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT -- General -- 1. Topography and Terrain -- 2. Geology -- 3. Soil Conditions -- 4. Irrigation and Hydrographic Conditions -- 5. Climatic Conditions -- Conclusion -- CHAPTER FIVE - AGRICULTURE: PAST & PRESENT -- General - Overview -- 1. Ancient Agriculture in the Marshland Area -- 2. Wetlands Agriculture from the Middle Ages to the Fall of the Monarchy -- 3. Agriculture in the Wetlands after the Monarchy to the Fall of Saddam Hussein -- 4. The Russian Master Plan -- 5. The Iraqi Marshlands: A Post-Saddam Perspective -- CHAPTER SIX - THE WETLANDS WILD LIFE AND ECOSYSTEM -- General -- 1. Environmental Importance and Uniqueness -- 2. Components of the Wildlife Ecosystem -- 3. Flora: Reed and Reed Mace, Bulrush, Aquatic Vegetation -- 4. Birds: Critical Species, Endangered Species, Vulnerable Species -- 5. Fauna.

6. Amphibians and Reptiles -- 7. Fish -- 8. Transboundary Issues -- CHAPTER SEVEN - DESIGN PRINCIPLES -- General Overview -- 1. Ancient Measurement -- 2. Functional Aspect (Internal Planning) -- 3. Aesthetic Aspects -- 4. Major Design Elements -- 5. Furniture -- CHAPTER EIGHT - BUILDING MATERIALS AND THEIR AVAILABILITY -- General -- 1. Reeds, Rushes, Date-Palm -- 2. Timber -- 3. Mud - Pressed Mud (Tauf, Pise'), Unfired Mud-Brick and Baked Brick -- 4. Stone -- 5. Bitumen -- 6. Metals: Copper, Lead, Silver, Gold, Tin, Bronze -- 7. Miscellaneous Materials: Plaster, Decoration, Mosaic -- CHAPTER NINE - ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS -- General - Ancient Tools and Methods -- 1. Mesopotamian Woodworking Tools -- 2. Reed Architecture -- 3. Mud Brick Construction -- 4. Architectural and Structural Elements -- CHAPTER TEN - RESTORATION OF THE MARSHES OFSOUTHER IRAQ: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES -- Introduction -- 1. What is Restoration? -- 2. Geological and Biophysical Considerations -- 3. Hydrology and Hydrogeochemical Considerations -- 4. Biological Considerations -- 5. Other Considerations -- 6. Restoration Goals -- Conclusions -- CHAPTER ELEVEN - SUSTAINABLE HOUSING UTILIZING INDIGENOUS MATERIALS IN THE MARSHES -- Introduction -- 1. Significance of the Project -- 2. Research Methodology -- 3. Materials and Building Technology -- 4. Experimental Work and Suggested Improvements -- 5. Results and Achievements -- Conclusion -- CHAPTER TWELVE - FUTURE OF THE MARSHLANDS: ARETURN TO EDEN? -- General Overview -- 1. The Huwayza Marshes -- 2. The Hammar Marsh -- 3. The Central Marshes -- 4. General Objectives -- 5. Recent Developments and Aggravating Factors Affecting Marshland Restoration -- BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READING -- INDEX.