What is a common characteristic of early writing systems?

Early writing systems primarily emerged as tools for record-keeping and communication. This characteristic reflects the practical needs of early societies, such as documenting transactions, recording laws, and preserving important information. For instance, ancient civilizations like the Sumerians developed cuneiform, which was used to keep track of trade and agricultural activities. The Egyptians utilized hieroglyphs for both ceremonial purposes and administrative records, indicating that the primary function of writing was to facilitate communication and maintain governance.

The other options do not align with the primary purpose of early writing systems. While artistic expression may have occurred alongside writing, it was not the sole purpose driving the development of these systems. Furthermore, early writing was not limited to pictorial elements; many systems evolved to include phonetic components, allowing for a more complex representation of spoken language. Additionally, the idea that writing was created solely by nomadic tribes overlooks the significant contributions of settled civilizations that created structured systems for governance and trade.