Definitions
- Referring to the time before written records or history. - Describing the period of human existence before the development of writing systems. - Talking about the study of human societies and cultures before recorded history.
- Referring to the ancient past, especially the period of classical civilizations such as Greece and Rome. - Describing the time period before the Middle Ages. - Talking about the study of ancient cultures, art, and literature.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to periods of time in the past.
- 2Both words are used to describe historical eras.
- 3Both words are associated with the study of human societies and cultures.
- 4Both words are used to describe the ancient past.
What is the difference?
- 1Timeframe: Prehistory refers to the time before written records, while antiquity refers to the period of classical civilizations.
- 2Scope: Prehistory covers a broader time period than antiquity, which specifically refers to the ancient Mediterranean world.
- 3Sources: Prehistory relies on archaeological evidence, while antiquity has written records and literature as sources.
- 4Culture: Prehistory focuses on the study of early human societies, while antiquity focuses on the study of ancient civilizations and their cultural achievements.
- 5Geography: Prehistory is a global concept, while antiquity is more specific to the Mediterranean region.
Remember this!
Prehistory and antiquity are both words used to describe periods of time in the past and the study of human societies and cultures. However, prehistory refers to the time before written records, while antiquity specifically refers to the period of classical civilizations in the Mediterranean region. Additionally, prehistory relies on archaeological evidence, while antiquity has written records and literature as sources.
