Interesting.
The scientists must be lying about this for some reason. What might that reason be?
Or are they simply inept?
The most important thing any of these people do is "publish". It's what it's all about.
I dont think they are lying. At least not intentionally. But the minute you suggest that civilization existed long ago and declined...it is going to ruffle some feathers.
Its the same thing where humanoids roamed the earth. And then, boom! they were farming and building cities, and writing stuff down.
Yeah...that’s evolution.
Any other explanation opens up too many doors answered by guys with messy hair suggesting “Aliens?”
The problem just might lie with your perception of things.