What are some reasons that ancient art has survived?A) Artists worked in durable materials.B) The humid climate helped preserve artworks.C) Stable population centers attracted artists.D) Ancient cultures collected artworks in tombs or underground caves.

What will be an ideal response?

A, C, D

Certain conditions prevailed in ancient cultures that helped foster the preservation of art. First, the artists worked in durable materials such as stone, metal, and fired clay. Second, the local environment was not destructive to artworks; for instance, the hot, dry climate of Egypt provides an excellent milieu for preservation. Third, the culture was highly organized, with stable population centers in which artists congregated. Fourth, the culture had a tradition of caching its artworks in places of limited or no accessibility. A huge portion of the ancient art that has survived comes from tombs or underground caves.