We are not smarter than our ancestors. How could we be? We have not solved any of the basic problems of the human condition in thousands of years of known history.

Poverty, strife, greed, power-struggles and intolerance are as rife in our times as they ever were in times gone by. 

One only has to study the preoccupations of the average inhabitant of ancient Rome to realise that we have not learnt anything over the passage of two millennia. 

Our ancient Roman ancestor, for instance, was worried about the political situation, rising crime, unemployment, the spread of disease and corruption in government.How familiar that sounds. 

Going further back to our ancient cousins in Egypt we find them erecting huge monuments in the form of pyramids with consummate skill and a technology that we do not understand. How did they haul mammoth rocks weighing several tons from stone quarries to the building site? What technology was used? Are we capable of that today?

Legendary Queen Cleopatra obtained emeralds from her mines. Thousands of years later those mines are still in operation in our own times. What worked for the ancients is still good for us today, it seems. 

Looking even further back in time we find clear depictions of flying machines, spacecraft and vehicles that we thought had been invented only in our time. How could they have drawn them if they had not seen or heard about them?

We also find evidence of superior medical knowledge. Instances of brain surgery have been discovered in ancient skeletons. Modern medical practitioners know precious little about the brain and are reticent to operate. 

Our very ancient ancestors were astronomically advanced and knew a great deal more about the skies, the galaxies and the universe than we do today. 

Recent reconnaissance of the seabed has afforded us the opportunity to discover the ruins of highly advanced civilizations. Who were they? How come we do not know about them if we are so smart? 

Sure we have very advanced technology and can travel faster, communicate more quickly and annihilate much more effectively than our ancestors. Does this make us smarter?

I think not. We will become smarter when we learn to live together in tolerance, peace and harmony ;and to pool our knowledge and resources for the greater good of all humankind.