Sculptures, cave paintings, rock paintings, and petroglyphs

Many great traditions in art have a foundation in the art of one of the great ancient civilizations: Ancient Egypt,Mesopotamia, Persia, India, China, Ancient Greece, Rome, as well as Inca, Maya, and Olmec. Each of these centers of early civilization developed a unique and characteristic style in its art. Because of the size and duration of these civilizations, more of their art works have survived and more of their influence has been transmitted to other cultures and later times.

Cave painting of a horse from theLascaux caves, c. 16,000 BP.