Final answer:
We distinguish Neolithic cities from early civilizations by the presence of urban settings, labor specialization, social stratification, government institutions, written languages, and stratified social hierarchies in the latter.
Step-by-step explanation:
We distinguish between large Neolithic cities and early civilizations by the presence of certain social and cultural characteristics. Early civilizations, like those in Mesopotamia or along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, typically featured urban settings, labor specialization, and social stratification. This level of societal complexity was supported by the stability that arose from agriculture and sedentary lifestyles. In contrast, Neolithic cities such as Jericho and Çatalhöyük were marked by advanced agricultural practices and permanent settlements, but they lacked the full development of hierarchical social structures and specialized labor roles that characterized the latter civilizations.
For example, attributes of early civilizations that went beyond Neolithic achievements include the development of government institutions, the use of writing systems to record and communicate information, and the ability to build large-scale architecture like ramparts for defense and monuments. Furthermore, these societies often had a stratified social hierarchy, with rulers and religious leaders at the top, while farmers and laborers—despite their crucial role in sustaining society—tended to remain at the bottom.
In essence, the transition from Neolithic societies to early civilizations was marked by a significant evolution in the complexity of social organization and cultural practices, as seen in the rise of cities, the establishment of governments and religions, and the implementation of writing systems which together facilitated the development of rich cultural traditions and lasting legacies.