The following were the three characteristics of the ancient cities.
- Towns and cities, that first appeared along river valleys, such as Ur, Nippur and Mohenjodaro in ancient times, were larger in scale than other human settlements of those times.
- There were certain conditions needed for the development of ancient cities. It could develop only when an increase in food supplies made it possible to support a wide range of non-food producers.
- Cites were often the nucleus of political power, administrative network, trade and industry, religious institutions, and knowledge production. It supported variegated social groups such as artisans, merchants and priests.
