Which of the following most directly contributed to the spread of settlement depicted on the map?

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

You did not attach the map. Without that information, we do not know what you are referring to.

What we can do is to comment on the following general terms.

The most direct factor that contributed to the spread of settlement depicted on the map in ancient civilizations, if that is what you are referring to, was conquering. Empires started to grow, gain power, and were ambitious and decided to battle other regions and towns to conquer them and gain those territories to form empires.

For instance, there is the example of Sumeria. They established powerful city-states such as Lagash, Nippur, Eridu, Kish, or Ur, and they first traded, then fought to increase their power and dominion, and spread their territories.

answer; /// the correct answer is evidence of the olmec civilization has been found in southern american in a hot steamy forest, archaeologists have found earthen artifacts at several sites that were evidence of the olmec civilization. these   artifacts were mounds,courtyards and pyramids build of stones, also on top of the mounds were many monuments made of stone, some of these stone structures are very large, they weigh as much as 44