Final answer:
Large Neolithic cities evolved into early civilizations characterized by specialized labor, writing, social stratification, advanced technology, and complex religious and social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
We can distinguish between large Neolithic cities and early civilizations by the presence of certain social/cultural characteristics. Early civilizations were marked by the development of a discernible culture with stable populations sustained by agriculture and the ability to build large-scale structures and monuments.
Significant factors that characterized early civilizations include the specialization of labor, development of writing and number systems, and social stratification. Agricultural production allowed societies to transition from being nomadic hunter-gatherers to more complex, sedentary cultures that developed governments, hierarchal social systems, and culture, such as the arts and religion.
The presence of advanced technology, such as metalworking and large-scale architecture, alongside the creation of sophisticated religious systems and the stratification of society into classes, are key hallmarks that differentiate early civilizations from large Neolithic cities.