People back then were ignorant of many of the possibilities in this world, yes.
In a way that *most* modern people are not. Is that really a controversial point?
I'm not sure how much of a history buff you are, but this is not exactly a idea that is any dispute.
Most people back then were completely uneducated. Now unless you're going to claim that education is useless, you must concede this point.
Most people today are completly uneducated. Where have you been since mass education proved to be an oxymoron?
Education increases humility, because the more you know, you know of more things, you don't know.. Faulty education creates arrogance.. Possessing facts and skills is NOT education.. its indoctrination.. and rote.. As any "old master" of any skill knows well.. facts need to age like wine.. What has the "old master" learned that eludes the novice?.. Wisdom.. Wisdom is ageless, rare, and precious..
Many of the educated are not wise.. Wisdom has been present with a few for thousands of years.. Defaming your progenitors is not wise.. d;-)~',',