Could a Dwarven Civilization Exist?

Could a Dwarven society as described by Tolkien mythology actually work? Dwarves for the purposes of this question are short, stout, bearded men and women who live primarily underground. They have a medieval level of technology although perhaps some advanced metallurgy techniques. They mine deep into mountains, creating vast networks of chambers and halls where they dwell.

There seem to me to be several unaddressed problems with how a Dwarven society would work.

Mining: We have a hard time digging into the earth safely even with modern technology. Could Dwarves actually create safe underground dwellings at a medieval tech level and without the use of magic? How deeply could such a society safely dig without the risk of poisonous gasses, cave-ins, or Balrogs doing them in? Are the massive subterranean structures we see in Middle-Earth possible?

Air. Mammals exhale carbon dioxide that will inhibit their ability to get oxygen into their blood if it reaches too high a level. As a tunnel goes deeper into the Earth and further from the surface air supply the Dwarves will eventually suffocate. How can they cope with this and keep massive underground networks such as the Mines of Moria habitable? Today we use fans to generate circulating air networks. Is there any way for the Dwarves to replicate such tools with medieval technology?

Food. Let us say for the purposes of this question that Dwarves do not farm or hunt above ground. What could they eat? Are there any ways to grow food underground? They need a renewable, reliable food supply for a large population. Trade would be one option, but would require the Dwarves to live in close proximity to surface dwellers and would make the Dwarves wholly dependent on their trade partners.

None of the answers need refer to Middle-Earth in particular. I only mention it because it's something that most people are familiar with and has inspired most of the Dwarves we see in modern fantasy. I'm interested in non-magical, non-fantasy answers. I essentially want to know if a hairy, burly group of men and women could live underground on earth.

No other problems come to mind, but I'm sure there are others. If anyone else has concerns about the feasibility of a Tolkien Dwarven society please bring them up as well.

posted about 9 years ago

Mike Nichols‭

1 reputation 16 0 0 0