I usually think of the word "ancient" as being a culture that has been moved from a linear historic context.

Unfortunately, that is pretty arbitrary, as some cultures ceased to be recorded less than a millenia ago (Maya, for example) while others met the protocol two, three, or four thousand years ago, or more.

Usually I think it's used to contrast the peoples within the "old" culture from people in the "new" culture... i.e., "ancient Egyptians" as opposed to "modern Egyptians". I hardly think we can contrast (biologically, anyway) "ancient humans" from modern ones. That just sounds peculiar.

Anthony

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think.