text: OK I am an atheist, but I have spent a LONG time reading up about religion so I figured I could answer this question as well as anyone else.\n\nI guess this question is easier to answer if you believe Genesis as being absolutely true, in which case humans haven't existed for very long (despite all the evidence I must say!) in which case there were no ancient people as the human race started with Adam and Eve, both of whom knew of the existence of God.\n\nIf you believe that Christianity is an man-made 'invention', as you question suggests, then it doesn't matter about those before as its just make-believe anyway! \n\nAs for all the Christians out there who don't believe in Creationism then you need to re-read your bible with the understanding that it is 'the word of God'.