Adamta

Adamta is thought to be the first of the pre-deluvian cities that underwent conversion by the Tzirahim during their domination of the Edneim. It was located on the north bank of Nahar Uparit in southwestern Misruq.

Etymology

Adamta, also know as Adamdeh, has generally been thought to have been named after an eponymous ancestor, as many later settlements were. In truth, it was named for the redness

Origins

As the Edneim migrated out of the lands of their exile, some migrated first to the west, crossing the mountains. They wandered into a valley formed by two arms of the mountains near the source of the river Nahar Uparit and followed it southward, gathering food as they went. The migration is said to have taken hundreds of years, as bands of Edneim settled in small regions and only extended their reach when the population of a band began to grow too large. Throughout these migrations the Edneim experimented with many plants along the banks of the Uparit to supplement vegetation they found throughout the valley.
As time progressed, the population grew and the Edneim spread throughout southern Misruq. Despite this, there seemed to be enough vegetation to support them, until the region entered into a dry period, and the resulting scarcity led to increases in population density along the Uparit as well as some regional raiding. Bands throughout the region began to intensify their growing efforts and after the first decade the highlands Edneim had developed techniques that allowed them to grow wheat in greater quantities. As this knowledge made its way down the Uparit to more communities, the Edneim at the future sight of Adamta were thrilled to discover that the land they inhabited was fertile.
As the dry period wore on, more and more Edneim came to Adamta, and the small village grew into a large city. The leaders of the city developed extensive irrigation systems which would spread throughout the region, leading to greater urbanization and craftwork.

Development

The initial phase of development in Adamta involved clearing out the marshy area around the Uparit, and through this work the Edneim became aware that they could build irrigation systems to connect to areas further out from the river. As the Edneim transitioned to mud-brick homes, they built canals through the farmland to connect them, and walkways to cross over the canals. The work was haphazard, with canals being built as they needed them, and often hastily built canals would flood over when the Uparit rose with the rains. 
The surplus of food produced by the Edneim was also made possible through the development of animal husbandry, though in the case of the Edneim these animals tended to be smaller. A predominantly vegetarian race, the Edneim had learned to eat meat when food was scarce, though many refused this as unclean. A rift developed, splitting the city into two factions, as many of the Edneim could not abide the smell and sound of slaughter. As time wore on, this split widened into a deep ideological chasm. To accent this, those who were herding animals began to insist on retaining certain qualities past their normally temporary reproductive years, refusing to take on what they considered the more subservient role in reproduction. This led to two different populations, one that retained its natural ability to procreate in a variety of ways, and another that slowly became unable to, first through custom and finally through sterility. 
In the meantime, the growing surplus provided an opportunity for the development of a large range of crafts, including the improvement of technologies related to the smithing of many metals, pottery-making, weaving, and music.

Map Credit: Nimirien/Autumn Getty

RUINED SETTLEMENT
1656

Founding Date

Year 1