Pre-Human Civilizations

I'm just curious...has anyone else entertained the idea that humans weren't the first of Earth's species to develop an (relatively) advanced civilization?

We've been here for about 100,000 years, and we've left a pretty big mark on the environment. It only took us about 5-6 million years, total, to evolve from the ancestors we share with other primates (plz correct if wrong!)

Now, other organisms, such as the dinosaurs, spent hundreds of millions of years on earth, and came in an incredibly diverse number of species. Isn't it possible that at some point, some dinosaur, with a large brain and small body ( www.bbc.co.uk... ) could have developed a crude set of tools, if nothing else? Would evidence of a prehuman culutre even survive? If it did, would we recognize it? All opinions are welcome.

They had a similar discussion on another thread and I found it interesting. I think there is a possiblility that yes, there were other advanced civs. before humans. They also discussed that no, there would probably be no evidence of it. Look at our structures and buildings that are advanced for our time. In about 100 years there would be no evidence of them if they were not kept up.

If this was true the entire evolution thing may be shot, or it happened alot differently than currently explained. Take a look at seals, they are one of the few animals that use tools. They use rocks to crack open shells. Its possible that small dinosaurs did the same. In truth I dont think the human race will live on much longer. The Apocalypse wasnt so much of a prediction than an inevitability.

Originally posted by MrJingles

In about 100 years there would be no evidence of them if they were not kept up.

I'm sorry, but this is just untrue. To start, a lot of our building materials are very biodegradeable, so they'll be there for a while. Even if they are, its not like we're going to waste the time or money to knock them down if we leave the area or become extinct. So frankly, I think there would be evidence.

Originally posted by sharky
Now, other organisms, such as the dinosaurs, spent hundreds of millions of years on earth, and came in an incredibly diverse number of species.

...Not quite that long...Each differing species only lasted an average of 30-40 million years before becomeing extinct & being replaced by new species. Even the shark has only been around for about 60 million years or so.

...Even so, when compared to that, it looks as if humanity is going to change the environment enough to *self-extinct* long before that...

Originally posted by Pherophile

Originally posted by MrJingles

In about 100 years there would be no evidence of them if they were not kept up.

I'm sorry, but this is just untrue. To start, a lot of our building materials are very biodegradeable, so they'll be there for a while. Even if they are, its not like we're going to waste the time or money to knock them down if we leave the area or become extinct. So frankly, I think there would be evidence.

that depends of what buildingmaterials "they" used.
and the evidence would probably be deep beneath the surface anyway. by the way, what would be left after a nuclear blast?

The only thing that could survive a nuclear blast would be a cockroach. strange but true, cockroaches are known to live on electrical wiring as well now. They may hold the answer to human survival.

Originally posted by Sapphire
The only thing that could survive a nuclear blast would be a cockroach. strange but true, cockroaches are known to live on electrical wiring as well now. They may hold the answer to human survival.

well, there you are. there is compelling evidece that suggest nuclear detonations in several locations all over the earth in the past.

If mankind died off and with no up keep of our infrastructure, in as little as 10000 years there would be very little left to say we were here. With us gone, earth will recover, trees and other plants will crumble buildings over time and when a new ice age returns, glaziers will scrape any evidence left away. Maybe the only sign left will be plastic bags, they don't degrade. I do believe there were more than one advanced civilization here.......

Originally posted by MidnightDStroyer
...Not quite that long...Each differing species only lasted an average of 30-40 million years before becomeing extinct & being replaced by new species. Even the shark has only been around for about 60 million years or so.

Sharks (and crocodillians and turtles and horseshoe crabs among others) are MUCH older than that! Sharks have been around for about 410 million years: news.nationalgeographic.com...