Summary:
- This article discusses the ancient dams in China that are over 5,100 years old, challenging the Western narrative of China as a despotic society. These dams demonstrate the advanced engineering and water management capabilities of ancient Chinese civilizations.
- The article highlights the Dujiangyan irrigation system, which has been in use for over 2,000 years and is still functioning today. This system uses a unique design that allows it to regulate water flow and prevent floods without the need for a dam.
- The article suggests that the existence of these ancient dams and irrigation systems challenges the Western view of China as a centralized, despotic state, and instead shows the sophistication and decentralized nature of ancient Chinese water management practices.