RESILIENT REEDS The mudhif building style originated with the development of floating island infrastructure, socio-ecological system called tuhul. 042 This was developed at the convergence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers around 4000 BCE by the Ma’dan people, which translates to “dweller in the plains.” 043 The marshlands span across Southern Iraq, Southwestern Iran, and parts of Kuwait. 044 The tuhul has four primary construction phases: first, an area of reeds in the marsh are enclosed in a perimeter reflecting the size of the future island. Then, layers of reed and mud are overlaid and interwoven onto the enclosed area. Next, additional layers are added to the pre-existing floor structure to create a more permanent footing. Finally, structures are added to the island’s structure. 045
This cultural keystone species of the region provides structure for architecture, flour for bread, and even fodder for local water buffalo. 046
024 | Giant Reed, Qasab
023 | Tuhul, Floating Island HISTORY OF SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
PAGE 24 | 62
