Human kind has always wondered about its place in the universe and if there is somebody out there. It is normal for us as an intelligent race to seek another intelligent race. That would answer a lot of questions we have about life and how it develops, especially into an intelligent species.

And while we have looked into space, far and wide, we have yet not looked properly into time for signs of intelligent life forms. Well, I am talking about the possibility that an intelligent species could have existed before we ever came along on the surface of the planet.

Sometimes I wonder if there could have developed an intelligent species that lived for a certain period of time before getting wiped off. Would it be possible?

If no, well, life goes on as usual. But if yes, could we find signs of them? What would it mean for us and our understanding of life?

Finding Signs of An Intelligent Species

When I researched this topic on the internet, I came across several views and I must say, they were all pretty interesting. Basically, when talking about anything that existed in history, our first thought is to look for any fossils or remains that might prove their existence.

For example, we know when dinosaurs existed and how many species of them were there thanks to the large amount of fossils that we have found over the decades.

If an intelligent species had existed, say, even before the dinosaurs or along side them or even after them, could we find proof of their existence as well? Well, some experts suggest that any proof of such a civilisation, would probably be lost completely within millions of years.

Just think in our terms. If we were to disappear tomorrow, everything that we ever built, would slowly but surely start to wither away and in a few million years’ time, there would be virtually no signs of us. Add to that the geographical changes that the Earth would go through in that period and it would become impossible.

So, what other ways are there to find proof of a prehistoric intelligent species, if any? Some experts suggest that we should instead look for the effect that an intelligent race would surely have on the environment.

Studying the different layers of soil, it can be found out when there was a sudden departure from the natural way of things in history. For example, we humans are pumping millions of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere and it’s signs are definitely being added to the top soil.

After millions of years, this unnatural level of carbon in the then deeply buried soil, could show any future discoverers that we existed once.

This could be done but not much research has gone into this field. Finding any signs of an ancient intelligent life form is a long shot but I think we should still try to answer that once and for all. After all that is what science is all about, asking questions and finding answers.

What If It Were True?

I wonder what would happen if one day someone did find a definitive proof of an ancient civilisation. I mean the legend of the lost city of Atlantis fills us with excitement, right? That’s because we immediately start thinking about the possibilities of what once was.

So, finding a definitive proof of such a civilisation would for sure have the entire world talking. But what effects would it have on our lives, apart from being privy to an important piece of knowledge that no one saw coming?

I think, in general, life would go one as if nothing happened. But for scientists, many more questions will arise and the question of the origin of life would get even more mysterious. Plus, they would surely keep thinking about any hidden technological remains there could be.

Anyways, what are your thoughts on the matter? Do chime in, in the comments section down below. I would love to discuss with you guys!