Archaeological investigation has found evidence of irrigation in areas lacking sufficient  natural rainfall to support crops for rainfed agriculture. The earliest known use of the technology dates to the 6th millennium BCE in  Khuzistan in the south-west of present-day Iran.[4][5]

Irrigation was used as a means of manipulation of water in the alluvial plains of the Indus valley civilization, the application of it is estimated to have begun around 4500 BC and drastically increased the size and prosperity of their agricultural settlements.[6] The Indus Valley Civilization developed sophisticated irrigation and water-storage systems, including artificial reservoirs at Girnar dated to 3000 BCE, and an early canal irrigation system from c. 2600 BCE. Large-scale agriculture was practiced, with an extensive network of canals used for the purpose of irrigation.[7][8]