I was thinking the same, Ed. This page has some interesting points: http://www.innerx.net/personal/tsmith/nilake.html

I originally thought of Egypt and the Nile river. I found other interesting info on the web, but I had to turn the pc off due to a thunderstorm yesterday. Anyways, these give some idea to climate changes and fresh water in general in the Nile region. Although, it is now believed that a plague is what led to Ancient Egypts civilization(could still be debatable), water from the Nile played a major role in every aspect of their daily lives (ok, so astronomy may have played a part too). :)

http://www.nature.com/nsu/000127/000127-13.html

Early Mesopotamia (actually a theology related article, but you can't miss the effects that fresh water had on both cultures).

Valley of The Kings geology (basic)

Marcia
-just when I was starting to miss those CCNET updates. :) WB, Dan!