Final answer:
The correct answer is option A) The earliest known writing system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'original meaning' within the context of the Ancient Near East is most closely associated with A) The earliest known writing system. The region is renowned for its tremendous contributions to human civilization, including the invention of writing. This pivotal development occurred around 3000 BCE with the emergence of cuneiform, a writing system characterized by wedge-shaped symbols, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia. Initially serving practical purposes such as record-keeping for tax and commercial transactions, cuneiform evolved and soon facilitated the creation of literature and historical records.
Unlike the other choices such as the invention of the wheel, the first agricultural revolution, and the construction of the Great Pyramids, the 'original meaning' in question is specifically tied to the birth and evolution of written language, which is a cornerstone in the chronicle of human advancement. The Mesopotamians used cuneiform to write on clay tablets that, when baked, became durable records for generations to witness. These tablets provide us with a wealth of information about early agriculture, law, religion, and even the structure of governments and empires in ancient times.