I had a good time watching the old "Mystery Of The Sphinx" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nf6kYum6gI where the skeptic Egyptologists argue that no advanced civilization older than 4500 B.C. have existed.

Then comparing it with the recently discovered ruins of Göbekli Tepe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe which was founded 10 000 B.C.

While contemplating this, imagine if you had advanced cultures in the past who believed in sustainable life, as in living in harmony and balance with nature without depleting its resources. Then we would never know, because they wouldn't leave anything behind.

The criteria for leaving a mark in history seems to be power hungry kings/leaders, massive use of resources, fanatic religions or slavery. So, I guess it is safe to assume peaceful societies living in harmony with nature will always be forgotten over time.