What was the most environmentally friendly society in ancient time?

Question

im doing an essay at school. i have to find out how they helped the invironment please help me! =P

Answer 1

Since man first planted a food crop he has been changing the environment to make his life better.

Some say that any change is a bad change.  

The Egyptians and Sumarians made canals and levees to irrigate their crops and control flooding.  Who is to say these were environmently harmful or good.

The Greeks were the first to consider Earth as a living being to be adored and protected (Gaia),  but that did not stop them from building citys, ports and planting crops changing the face of the very planet they said they worshiped.

Every religion (excluding monothiest) has a Earth deity (usually female) but they still modified their environment to maked their lives more comfortable and safer. . .

Answer 2

I would say the Egyptians.  They were the first to install catalytic converters on their vehicles lowering emissions.

No, actually I am certain the environment was not even a concern back then.

Answer 3

This will give you an interesting perspective:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/pub/pdf/co...

Answer 4

prior to the industrial revolution, pretty much everyone was environmentally friendly..  but if I had to pick, I'd probably go with Native Americans because they believed in living in harmony with nature rather than changing their surroundings to suit their needs..

Answer 5

Maybe you could get away with saying the ancient Mayans or Aztecs. They lived on a barren mountain top and used irrigation  to make it a farming paradise... of course they also slaughtered a whole lot of people so you have to have your priorities.

Honestly we are more environmentally conscious than most of the people who came before us. Medieval England didn't have drinkable water and often times groups of American Indians would be forced to move due to over hunting and over use of the natural resources. Do the Powers that Be want you to know this? I'm starting to think not. But one of the signs of a highly developed society is concern for the environment. It means we have enough food, shelter and medicine so that we can be concerned with more mundane issues.

I have a Medieval history degree, so this is my specialty. I wish people really understood our past, it would help everyone deal with the present.

Answer 6

Back then, I don't think anyone did worry about it. They were still getting past the hunter-gatherer/find enough food to live stage, and probably didn't have time to "worry about the environment."