There is an article somewhere either on IGN or Wikipedia that shows that the people of Spira are apparently the Ancients. It was stated some time ago by a Squaresoft/Square Enix official. I've tried looking for it, but someone I know found it and didn't tell me what search criteria he used. I forgot which of the two sites he found it on. I'm not lying though.

He said that this official stated something to do with Spira meant that people were able to launch themselves into space. This technology is supposedly created by the Al Bhed child in FFX-2 known as Shinra. It was also stated that Shinra is THE original creator of the Shinra corporation, and that he discovered that there was a way to siphon the planet's life energy to create power.

I'll have another look for this article, unless of course anyone knows where it is.
It exists! It was read out to me. I just wasn't told where it is or how to find it. >_<'