If it actually existed, Atlantis. The Rama Empire of India, the ancient Chinese, and the Mayans were all ahead of their time.

Egyptians or Romans The Romans even had central heating.Beautifulsteam and Bath Houses

The Romans. I think that if we were sent back in time to the hight of the Roman Empire we would be right at home.

I'd put the Mayans up there. A 365 day calendar based on the sun and earth (which they knew was round before any Europeans). Plus, nice cotton clothes.

I would also say the Romans. Do you know that Roman medical knowledge and practice was supierior to the best medicine elsewhere up until like the 1930's? I mean think in the 1800's they where putting leeches on people to suck out bad blood but in 100 AD the romans where doing primative brain surgery.

I would say teh Greeks durring the helenistic ages. Many greek historians believe that they were on the verge of an industrial revolution. Not to mention the scientific and cultural advances they brought to the ancient world. And NOTE that the helenistic age, rome was a small city state in under the control of another empire! EDIT: The romans "stole" alot of technology from nations they conquered. Much of this came from the greeks, who they conquered relativly early on. The romans were very militaristic, and they were superb archetechs but not nessicarially the most ahead of their time... they were very much with their time.

My vote is for the Incas.

civilization did not begin with greece or rome. the west would not dominate the world the way it does today if it weren't for arabs (just to be all inclusive- not to be offensive) and the chinese. gunpowder, printing press, etc., were the contributions which gave europe the weapons to colonize the rest of the world. this gave them an unequal advantage over the peoples of africa and the americas. egypt was probably one of the first greatest civilizations, but a large part of their technology came from other african civilizations which are totally ignored by our educational system.

The Atlantians were far ahead of any other culture at that time.

I think people are missing the question here. It asks "in all aspects of the phrase". That would mean, to qualify, a society would have to be ahead of its time not only technologically but also in regards to human rights and dignity. ALthough some ancient societies did have some wonderful technology, I cannot see one that was ahead of its time in all aspects. Rome had wonderful architecture and arts, but was barbaric in its attitude to the individual, and its constant warfare was abhorrent. Greece had fantastic technology and some advances in human rights (although its idea of democracy falls far short of one person one vote. Egypt was great in the arts and sciences, but poor in human rights. If I had to choose any culture it would be China. China was great in its technology and the arts, and was, for most of its history, not interested in extending its borders (it defended rather than attacked) Its religious systems were peaceful (no sacrifices). Its education system was magnificent, giving even poor children a chance to rise. It major faults were in the area of sharing of resources equally amongst its citizens, and the rights of women.

Not an expert but based on the math (and some loose conjecture), I would think Egypt. Did any other civilization accomplish what they did at such an early point in history, 30th-ish century BC? Myth and legend often portrays Ancient Egypt as having received much of its technological advancement from aliens! That's how ahead of their time they were... that's how modern pop culture filled in the blanks. Just something to think about. Very interesting topic.