This is actually the premise of a Star Trek TNG episode. They combine the dna from species and receive a message from their distant ancestors. I’m more curious

This is actually the premise of a Star Trek TNG episode. They combine the dna from species and receive a message from their distant ancestors. I’m more curious what sorts of communities exist(ed) which didn’t have our predilection for changing the environment. I’m sure vastly different environments lead to vastly different needs. Would we build homes if we essentially already lived in a climate as controlled as a house?