Many Neolithic settlements were located primarily near major river systems such as the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Yellow River and Yangtze River valleys in China, and river valleys in the Levant and Europe. These locations provided several advantages that made settlement and early agriculture feasible. The reasons for this spatial preference include:

• Fertile land: River valleys had rich, fertile soil deposited by annual floods, ideal for the early cultivation of cereal grains and other crops.
• Water supply: Rivers provided a reliable, accessible source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and livestock.
• Food resources: Proximity to water and fertile lands helped sustain larger, more sedentary populations through farming and fishing.
• Transportation and communication: Rivers served as natural routes for moving people, goods, and ideas, enhancing trade and cultural exchange.
• Environmental conditions: Post-Ice Age warming made these areas hospitable, and humans adapted from nomadic foraging to settled farming communities here.

Examples of notable Neolithic settlement areas include the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia), the Yellow River valley and Yangtze River valley in China, the Danube Valley in Europe, and Mediterranean islands like Malta where large temple complexes and villages emerged. The shift to agriculture in these fertile river regions fostered population growth, social innovation, and laid groundwork for complex civilizations.