Крупные города прединдустриальной эры

The oldest city in the world appeared in the Neolithic era. The rapid development of agriculture contributed to the increase in population and population density. There were the first townships, which were later called "protocities." By today's criteria can say that it was a little crowded, but in those days Catal Hüyük, Hatsilar or Jericho, numbering several thousand people, were considered large populations. In the Neolithic civilizations laid the foundation. First civilizations appeared in the IV millennium BC. e. in the Middle East. Why the Middle East has become a source of development? Unequivocal answer to this question does not exist, but this fact contributed to such prerequisites: climatic conditions; geographical location, abundant raw materials for construction, easy access to other raw materials (for example to ores of various metals). Along with Mesopotamia and Egypt in the Middle East have become the centers of civilization as India and China. The first major civilization emerged in river valleys. Their development is closely linked with the introduction of irrigation in agriculture. Irrigation system repeatedly increased productivity, making it possible to provide more food population. Among the characteristics of ancient civilizations should be noted: urban development and the emergence of states, social stratification and hierarchization societies, the use of writing, the development of scientific principles, division and time measurement.