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Ancient Rivers Outpaced Nile, Shaped Fertile Crescent

6/2/2026

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Story summary
  • Researchers found two rivers once carried more water than Nile, Tigris and Euphrates together.
  • A June 1 2026 study by researcher Andrew Madof’s team showed the Euphrates formed from the Paleo-Karasu and Paleo-Murat, which emptied into the Mediterranean 5–6 million years ago.
  • Tectonic activity along Fault rerouted the Paleo-Murat 3.6 million years ago and the Paleo-Karasu 2.8 million years ago.
  • By 1.6 million years ago streams merged to create the Euphrates that supported Fertile Crescent civilizations.