True, those same people spend billions on building the tallest buildings, the biggest man-made island systems, CERN, atomic weapon stock-piles, advanced military systems, ahhmmm, what else - when there are fundamental human problems that need solving - health and welfare, slavery, poverty, etc.
In all the essentials, we are no different to those who have become before us.
Try the sea docks from ancient Rome around the Mediterranean. The concrete got stronger in sea water whereas we have major problems with modern concrete in sea water. Roadways being another example.
Plus all the other construction efforts around the world, including ancient cities that have survived even being overtaken by jungles, etc.
Let us also consider the various modern nanotechnology research areas being undertaken today to find out how "primitive" people did tasks that we cannot duplicate today.
If people actually understood even the history of the last 200 years, they would understand how much knowledge we have lost during that time and how incapable of repeating many of those things we are today.
Sure, we have some advanced technologies today. However, the facts are that we have lost large areas of technology and chemistry over the last lot centuries. In some cases, what we call modern facilities are a rediscovery of what was available to the ancient peoples.
> concrete got stronger in sea water whereas we have major problems with modern concrete in sea water
Pure concrete is excellent in water. It also crumbles under light loads. Rebar is excellent under heavy loads. It also oxidises. We can choose either material based on the circumstances. The ancients could not.
