How did early settlers determine which areas of land were suitable to build cities on?

Question

During exploration, what were they looking for to determine suitability?

In: Other

Answer 1

Let’s first begin by outlining the reasons why you *would* want to build a city.

Maybe the position was near a major river system so fish and water were plentiful. Maybe the position was on top of some fertile land so growing crops was easy. Maybe the position was on top of a salt mine. Or a trade route. And the list goes on. Whatever the reason, forming a settlement must have some benefit over just mindlessly roaming.

For this reason, you’ll find that many cities are actually built on top of current or former resource deposits. Cairo was built on the estuary on the Nile river, which flooded annually and provided fertile plains. Tokyo was actually once a fishing village, similarly built around a river. Auckland was built on top of a copper deposit. And the list goes on.

Answer 2

Early settlers chose locations for building cities by carefully assessing various factors. They sought areas with access to water sources like rivers, lakes, or oceans for drinking, transportation, and agriculture, recognizing the importance of water to sustain life and facilitate trade.

Fertile land was another priority, ensuring a stable food supply through farming. They favored flat or gently sloping terrain for ease of construction and navigation, considering the lay of the land. Climate played a crucial role, with settlers preferring regions with moderate temperatures and manageable levels of precipitation for comfortable living conditions. Additionally, they looked for natural defenses such as hills or strategic positions to protect against threats like invasions or floods.

Settlements often emerged along established trade routes or at crossroads, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange. Sometimes, locations with cultural or spiritual significance were chosen, adding another layer of importance to the site’s selection. Availability of building materials, such as wood or stone, also influenced decisions, as settlers needed resources for constructing homes and infrastructure.