Final answer:
The world's first great civilizations, while unique, shared traits like agriculture, specialized occupations, governance, and systems of writing. Access to water and a surplus of food were necessary for their development, leading to diverse cultural growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The world's first great civilizations shared several common traits, despite their geographical differences. All were situated near large rivers which supported agricultural production, enabling the population to settle and grow. These agrarian societies had surpluses of food that allowed for the division of labor, specialized occupations, and the development of trade. Central governments formed to organize the society, and with political structure came laws and writing systems for record-keeping. Spiritual beliefs manifested in organized religions and monumental architecture like temples and palaces.
However, these civilizations also had unique characteristics. For instance, the polytheism of Mesopotamia differed from the rituals and burial practices of Ancient Egypt. The urban planning seen in the Indus Valley was not replicated in Ancient China, which had a distinct focus on philosophies like Confucianism or Daoism.
Certain traits or conditions do appear necessary for the development of civilization, such as access to water for agriculture, the division of labor, a form of governance, and a system of writing. These foundations allow for the social development required to support a large, settled population with a complex culture. Nonetheless, the particular expressions of culture, governance, and spirituality were distinct in each civilization, highlighting the numerous paths human societies can take under the right conditions.