In early mediterranean civilizations, the development of an extensive trade network and a bureaucracy that could manage record keeping was based on

The word to fill the blank space is "Writing".

Complete sentence is as below:
In early Mediterranean civilizations, the development of an extensive trade network and a bureaucracy that could manage record keeping was based on writing.

Record keeping is as important in contemporary times as it was in ancient times, a skill which has helped human civilization cross many barriers. 

Your answer is going to be Writing

Explanation:

the answer to your question is true