We often hear about theories of lost advanced civilizations. Ironically, evidence continues to pile up showing that humans have always been like we are now, physically and mentally. There seems to be less and less room for the dumb caveman stereotype. So was man set back a few times by disaster? Science and history seem to indicate that. Of course, the sudden appearance of humans who weren’t so dumb 80,000 – 200,000 years ago (depending on who’s counting) goes contrary to evolutionary theory. Read the latest here. Adding to the discussions and debates is the problem of mixing non-human hominids, or ones similar to us, to studies and datings. Ultimately, however, mankind still reaches back further than most have ever imagined. Read more on the origins of man in Who was Adam?.