- Prehistoric life was localized, with limited travel (25 miles), communication, and knowledge of the wider world. Most people lived as subsistence farmers in rural areas. Cities housed only 50,000 people at most. - The development of agriculture around 13,000 years ago led to more permanent settlements and the growth of complex societies with specialized roles, governments, laws, and social hierarchies. Writing emerged among merchants to record transactions. - Factors like fertile land, water sources, and natural resources determined where the first major civilizations arose along rivers like the Tigris/Euphrates, Nile, Yellow River, and Indus River. Sedentary agriculture and larger populations in these areas