The Euphrates River

Scientists reveal the origin of the Euphrates — a river that fed the 'cradle of civilization'

Scientists reveal the origin of the Euphrates — a river that fed the 'cradle of civilization' The Euphrates River fueled the "cradle of civilization," and a new study reveals the waterway was born of two other ancient rivers around 3.6 million years ago. Around 5.4 million years ago, two rivers flowed across present-day Turkey and Syria and into the Mediterranean Sea — and eventually, they would merge to form the Euphrates River, new research suggests. The merged river would play a pivotal...

Rescues in eastern Syria after the Euphrates River bursts its banks

Rescues in eastern Syria after the Euphrates River bursts its banks Rescue workers have pulled stranded farmers from flood waters in eastern Syria after the Euphrates burst its banks. Among the worst-affected areas was Deir Az Zor, where the flooding caused a bridge collapse and cut-off communities. Published On 31 May 2026

Floodwaters devastate eastern Syria as Euphrates river rises

For several days, the province of Deir Ezzor has been severely hit by flooding. Entire villages and farmland have been completely submerged and thousands of residents have been forced to leave. The cause is the sudden rise in the level of the Euphrates, the river that originates in Turkey.

Plate tectonics shaped the Cradle of Civilization by merging two ancient rivers, study suggests

The Euphrates River is the longest river in Western Asia and runs through the eastern side of the Fertile Crescent. Flowing over 1,700 miles from Turkey through Syria and Iraq, the river played a crucial role in sustaining the region known as the "Cradle of Civilization." Yet, researchers aren't sure about the river's origins or how tectonic activity might have shaped its evolution.

Flooding in north and east Syria as Euphrates level rises

Science news this week: Ötzi the Iceman used to make sourdough, Italian teenagers discover Roman villa under school, Google plans to release 64 million mosquitos, and RIP to NASA's Maven probe

Science news this week: Ötzi the Iceman used to make sourdough, Italian teenagers discover Roman villa under school, Google plans to release 64 million mosquitos, and RIP to NASA's Maven probe June 6, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend Surprise discoveries that were thousands of years in the making dominated this week's science news, with scientists discovering that Ötzi the Iceman's body...