Final answer:
The Nile River Valley civilization thrived due to technologies such as agricultural irrigation, the water wheel, and plant and animal domestication. These developments allowed Egyptians to manage the Nile's flooding, expand agriculture, and establish a stable diet, leading to societal complexity and growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nile River Valley was home to one of the earliest human civilizations, largely due to the technology developed to harness the river's potential. The first of these technologies was agricultural irrigation, which allowed the ancient Egyptians to control the flooding of the Nile, ensuring a steady supply of water for crops. The use of basin irrigation techniques enabled them to grow food surplus when the river flooded its banks with nutrient-rich water, thus facilitating a stable and structured society. This surplus of food allowed Ancient Egypt's civilization to flourish and pursue other endeavors leading to urban development.
The second significant technology was the invention of the water wheel (saqia), which further revolutionized agricultural efficiency. The water wheel allowed for greater expansion of agricultural land use and improved the productivity of the existing farmland. This agricultural advancement supported population growth and the development of cities and monumental architecture along the Nile.
A third important technological development was the domestication of plants and animals. Around 7000 to 6000 BCE, the introduction of agricultural techniques and the domestication of wheat, barley, sheep, goats, and cattle into the Nile River valley occurred. This not only allowed a more diverse and stable diet but also laid the groundwork for the complexity of Egyptian society, including their social and economic structure, which placed emphasis on agriculture and animal husbandry.