[Bernard Marx]

Just in fits and starts and then another catastrophe arrives and wipes it all out.

You're talking about "civilization," and what I had in mind was the ability of ancient peoples to think and adapt. Maybe they believed the sun was tugged from west to east overnight by a boat but they still were able to put its yearly risings and settings to practical use. They perceived a pattern and were smart enough to see its implications for agriculture, etc. They were just as intelligent as we are.

[blam]

"They were just as intelligent as we are."

I agree and they have been for thousands and thousands of years.

[ruoflaw]

Thanks!

[marsh2]

Civilization - yes, they must have had some sort of specialization in their society to have builders and users of the observatory function.