Final answer:
The complete drying of a river would lead to a severe water shortage impacting agriculture and drinking supplies, collapse of trade routes causing economic distress, and potential conflict over remaining resources, all of which threaten the survival and stability of a civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the complete drying of a river impacts a civilization is a complex scenario with far-reaching consequences. The most immediate and obvious effect of a river drying up would be a severe water shortage, directly affecting agriculture and drinking water supplies. Without a stable water source, agricultural practices, which are central to sustaining a population, would collapse, leading to food shortages and the risk of famine.
River transport is another critical aspect closely tied to the economic stability of a civilization. Many ancient civilizations, including those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus valley, relied heavily on rivers as trade routes. The disappearance of a river could thus lead to significant economic distress and the collapse of trade networks.
In addressing shortages, competition for the dwindling resources could escalate into conflict, exacerbating internal strife and potentially leading to warfare over water resources. Furthermore, a complete drying of the river might signify broader environmental changes or disasters that could have cascading effects on the civilization's infrastructure and population dynamics. For instance, changes in patterns of precipitation and construction of new infrastructure to manage water could negatively affect biodiversity and lead to significant alterations in land use and societal structure.