[AndrewC]

No doubt, we in the West were among the first to begin making serious intellectual and technological progress.

Gunpowder came from where? Al Gebr means what?

[PatrickHenry]

Me: "No doubt, we in the West were among the first to begin making serious intellectual and technological progress."

You: Gunpowder came from where? Al Gebr means what?

My question to you: Are these statements of equal meaning?
1. We were the first ...
2. We were among the first ...