Dear �Normandey:
�
My thinking is similar to that of Bruce and Shallottslady. I agree that �in ancient time � is not a commonly used expression.
�
You ask for sources.
�
The British National Corpus give NO INSTANCE of �in ancient time � ever being used.
�
They give 35 examples of� sentences which include �in ancient times �.
�
These�include, of course:
�
"And did those feet in ancient times walk upon England �s mountains green?"
�
There are only 2 examples, where the phrase following �in ancient times �, uses the Perfect Tense.
�
"The possibility of transatlantic cultural links in ancient times, has been re-opened by an American expedition, which claims ... ."��� PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
�
"In ancient times�the manor had belonged to the Martyns ... ." PAST PERFECT TENSE
�
The remainder of the examples use either the Past Simple Tense, or one of the Modal Auxiliary Verbs.
�
There are 12 examples of the use of �since ancient�times � = 9 uses of the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE and 3 uses of the PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE.�
�
Bruce and Shallottslady have both�made�very valuable contributions.�
�
I hope that this contribution helps,�too.
�
Les Douglas
