What influences what we know about ancient art? how is our knowledge of ancient art similar to or different from our knowledge of prehistoric art

Our knowledge about ancient art is deeply influenced by our readings about the theme, our researches, the authors we know who wrote something about it, but I think that the most preeminent influence is our own understanding of art. It's almost impossible to be free from preconceptions when we are separated about 4000 years of this art. And our knowledge about prehistorical art is different from the ancient, because the prehistorical men didn't write anything, and all we know about his art is what he left drawn on the caves. But why it was there, what those drawings represent? All we can do is deduce, but nothing is sure. On the other hand, the ancient man wrote something, even if it's in a different language, we can decipher, and learn more about the art.

Explanation: