**Similarities:**
1. **Symbolism:** Both prehistoric and early civilization art often used symbolic representations of animals, humans, and natural elements to convey meanings that might have held cultural, spiritual, or practical significance.
2. **Materials:** Both types of art used materials readily available to them. Prehistoric art often used natural pigments, rocks, and animal bones. Early civilization art employed local materials like clay, stone, and metals.
3. **Connection to Daily Life:** Both forms of art reflected aspects of daily life, including hunting scenes, rituals, and activities related to survival and community.
**Differences:**
1. **Purpose:** Prehistoric art is believed to have had a more direct connection to rituals, shamanistic beliefs, and animism, while early civilization art often served religious, political, and social purposes. Early civilization art was also used to glorify rulers and celebrate achievements.
2. **Complexity and Skill:** Early civilization art tends to exhibit more advanced techniques, artistic skill, and intricate designs due to the development of specialized labor and the accumulation of artistic knowledge over time.
3. **Cultural Development:** Early civilization art emerged in societies with established social hierarchies, written languages, and organized structures, while prehistoric art predates the development of these complex civilizations.
4. **Subjects:** Prehistoric art often focused on animals and basic human figures, while early civilization art depicted a wider range of subjects, including gods, rulers, historical events, and mythological narratives.
5. **Materials and Techniques:** Early civilization art could utilize advanced techniques such as bronze casting, pottery wheel techniques, and more intricate forms of carving and sculpting. Prehistoric art had more limited tools and materials at its disposal.
6. **Context:** Prehistoric art was often found in natural settings or caves, while early civilization art was integrated into architectural structures, religious sites, and palaces.
7. **Geographical Variation:** Prehistoric art spans across different regions and time periods with varying styles and techniques. Early civilization art tends to show more regional diversity due to the spread of cultures and interactions between civilizations.
It's important to note that these are general comparisons and that both prehistoric and early civilization art are diverse and complex fields of study with many unique characteristics within different cultures and time periods.