What significant development occurred in Khirokitia around 5500 BC?

Khirokitia, located on the island of Cyprus, is renowned for its contributions to Neolithic culture, particularly notable around 5500 BC. During this period, significant advancements in settlement planning and societal organization occurred. Specifically, Khirokitia is recognized as one of the earliest examples of a structured settlement in which the urban layout included well-defined streets and residential areas.

The development of a settlement with streets indicates a level of sophistication in urban planning, suggesting that the inhabitants were beginning to adopt more complex forms of community living, enabling better organization of space and resources. This urban infrastructure likely facilitated trade, social interaction, and communal activities, laying the groundwork for future urban developments.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the historical context of Khirokitia during this timeframe. For instance, the invention of writing and the construction of monumental structures like the Great Pyramid occurred in different regions and later periods. The establishment of a monarchy is also not a characteristic associated with Khirokitia at this time, as it was more focused on developing rudimentary forms of governance and communal living rather than centralized monarchical authority. Thus, the recognition of Khirokitia as a pioneering settlement with streets underscores its significance in the study of early urbanization