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Unknown Civilizations

We think we're the first advanced earthlings -- but how do we really know? Imagine if, many millions of years ago, dinosaurs drove cars through cities of mile-high buildings. A preposterous idea, right? In a compelling thought experiment, scientists wonder how we would truly know if there were a past civilization so advanced that it left little or no trace of its impact on the planet. Source 4d.

Civilizations Unknown

Advanced civilization requires advanced materials, many of which disappear far less readily than bone and stone. If we all died today, instantly, traces of our civilization will most likely remain on earth for hundreds of millions of years. Archeologists would have to work to find it towards the latter end of that time, but it will be there. We'd have found it by now if there was such to find.

So no, there isn't really a chance for a past civilization on par with or surpassing ours. I mean, technically it is possible, but so is me winning the multimillion lottery ten times in a row while having only bought nine tickets.

Now, there is more room for a less advanced civilization, up to the early industrial age. At present, there aren't any known species prior to the apes that appear to be developed for advanced tool use, but there are enough notable fossil record gaps that we could have missed something. I'd deem it quite unlikely, but not by as much as the prior scenario.

Edited: daishain on 20th Apr, 2018 - 3:18am