Final answer:
Early towns were generally established 2) near rivers, lakes, and oceans due to the necessity of fresh water, trade, transportation, and fertile land for agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early towns were usually built 2) near rivers, lakes, and oceans.
This is due to several reasons: access to a good environment with fresh water and a favorable climate, the necessity for advanced technology to produce a food surplus to support nonfarmers, and a strong social organization for social stability and a stable economy.
Historically, proximity to waterways was essential for various purposes such as the irrigation of crops, transport of goods, and as a source of water power.
Many ancient cities like Uruk, Abydos, and Harappa emerged close to waterways, taking advantage of these strategic locations for agriculture, trade, and urban planning.