Then this should be re-evaluated. They had no need for written communication systems, because they have (had) the most robust word of mouth, oral history of an

Then this should be re-evaluated. They had no need for written communication systems, because they have (had) the most robust word of mouth, oral history of any human society. 40,000 years of oral traditions accurately reproduced over the generations. We 'civilised Europeans' can't even do 80 years. The argument can be made that the FNP of Australia are not only the longest running civilisation, but in terms of actual human activity, the most advanced. Longest-running, still in operation, mineral mines (20,000 years). They had cryptographic systems which not only kept the peace between 300 different languages, but enabled a massive trade network to flourish. Personally, I consider China young in comparison, and the West absolutely juvenile.