What ancient cultural development resulted in the first towns and cities to be established?

It is hard to say for sure what exactly caused cities to appear, but it is believed that civilization, cities and architecture developed side by side: new rulers and worshipers needed to confirm their mighty by awe-inspiring buildings instead of the usual tiny adobe buildings, symbolizing their strength and divine origin authorities. Therefore, temples, palaces, public buildings appeared, surrounded by powerful walls with watch towers to protect new cities.

The emergence of the first cities refers to the period of transition from a nomadic to a settled way of life, from a primitive communal system to a slave-owning one, the period of the first major division of labor in human society into agricultural and handicraft labor. The division of labor led to the emergence of product exchanges and the development of trade. Therefore, the first cities most often appeared at the crossroads of trade routes.

The first elements of the urban economy were plumbing and sewer systems, baths, paving streets.

The ancient city was fortified. The central place in ancient cities was occupied by palaces and temples, which were built of stone; residential buildings were usually wooden.