Final answer:
The first civilizations and complex state-level societies developed between 10,000 and 8,000 BCE with notable examples like Uruk in Mesopotamia emerging around 3000 BCE.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emergence of the First Civilizations and State-Level Societies
The first civilizations and complex state-level societies appeared between 10,000 and 8,000 BCE, with the earliest examples found in Neolithic settlements. With the advent of agriculture, these societies became sedentary and began to exhibit characteristics such as urban settings, specialization of labor, and social stratification. Early civilizations like those in Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, the Andes, and China, featured developments in agriculture, irrigation, pottery, written language, and governance systems. Notably, the Sumerian city of Uruk emerged as one of the first true cities around 3000 BCE, complete with technological advances like bronze-making, cuneiform writing, and a complex pantheon.