"The Light of Other Days" is by novel written by Stephen Baxter, based on a synopsis by Arthur C. Clarke, that deals with this issue as a "surprise" near the en

"The Light of Other Days" is by novel written by Stephen Baxter, based on a synopsis by Arthur C. Clarke, that deals with this issue as a "surprise" near the end of the novel. Basically, the world is in turmoil for a series of reasons worse than what we have going on now, and then it is discovered we're the 2nd advanced civilization to evolve on Earth, with details of them and their demise. Well worth the read for a number of good reasons.