Thank you for the question on the ancient world before Noah’s Flood, “Is it possible that the ancient world which existed before Noah’s flood would have actually been more technologically and culturally advanced than the world that followed after?”
The question is a hypothetical one and it is an interesting question. My answer is slightly different from other respondents and in generally I would agree with many of them if one accepts the Scripture account of Genesis.
In my conjecture, I do not believe the people who lived before the Flood of Noah had any need for being technologically or culturally advanced. In other words, they were living in a near perfect environment with the slow rate of decay on the earth. There were no threats from animals or from the climate. The only threat was other human beings.
Genesis 4 gives some indication of the advancement of humans. For one’s consideration:
A. Genesis 4:16 says this, “So Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
Cain became the first explorer of the creative world. He took his family and journey to an unknown part of the land.
B. Genesis 4:17 says this, “17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch” (NIV).
Cain was the first person to build a city. He settled into the land and developed a settlement that became a city. The reason for building the city is uncleared but can it be that he wanted to protect himself and his family. He was a mark man. Building a city would give him protection whereby he can defend himself.
The Scripture does not state what kind of a city that he built. Cain had the wisdom or know how to build shelters and a wall around his city. He used the natural resources around him. It is likely that he would build it on a hill or mound so that he could see who was coming and going toward him. Cain wasn’t a cave man. He was a builder.
C. Genesis 4 says this, “20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock” (NIV).
Cain observed from his deceased brother how to domesticate animals. His descendants were among the first to live in tents and herd animals. The raising of livestock by Cain’s descendant led them to observe genetic differences and cross breeding of animals. This would have given rise to weaving of animal and usage of hide for coverings. Furthermore, Cain’s descendants that further explored the land as they grazed the animals.
D. Genesis 4 says this, “21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes” (NIV).
One of the descendants of Cain developed instruments and music. How he developed string and piple instruments is uncleared and the specific instruments are not stated. Jubal had time to carve wood and in his carving he may have developed instruments and music. The sound of a horn of a dead ram may have been discovered by children playing and blowing on it, producing some sound from it. Hollowed wood for blowing or the stretching of animal skins produced sounds when beaten upon.
E. Genesis 4 says this, “Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron” (NIV).
One of descendants of Cain learned or developed fire either from lightning or the rubbing of two sticks to produce fire. Fire was used to keep warm and later for roasting of meat whether by accident or by intention. Scripture does not reveal how Tubal-Cain came to discover making tools out of bronze and iron. He became the master of metallurgist.
Is it possible that Noah and his family used some metal tools to cut wood and to strengthen the interior of the ark? It is unclear but the Scripture indicated that tools were forge with bronze and iron.
With the forging of metal, who knows what could have been developed from art to weapons. Tubal-Cain had plenty time to experiment with his fire and the dirt that was around him.
Wherever and whatever Adam and Cain did was the first of its kind. Every step beyond Eden was a new discovery. Every action taken by either of them was expanding their knowledge of good and evil. The killing of animal sacrifices led some to think of killing individuals whom he hated or wanted from another person that he couldn’t get. The making of things or building something became a bases of comparison of what could be built more artistic or better. This spur creativity and invention by people. It is likely that Noah had access to metal tools to cut trees and to shape them. Did he use any metal on the ark? It appears that he had access to them.The tools of Tubal-Cain may have become the means to cut limestones and stones, to move them, and to erect them as Göbekli Tepe. This is the earliest “temple” being dated to 12,000 BCE even before the Pyramids or Stonehenge.
SUMMARY: The sophistication of ancient jewelries and buildings even astonished modern jewelist and engineers. Who knows what could have been done for someone who had a lifetime of 500 to 700 years to develop his skills and techniques.
For more perspectives: