The living longer myth

Just a question for people who accept evolutionary theory; something to ponder on your way to work or school this morning.

Quotes and comments;

1. 'Think about how society has changed in 160,000 years, since the first humans appeared. For them, there was never any evolutionary pressure to temper the long term effects of stress, because few people lived past thirty-five.' [1.]

- We're told endlessly that humans now live longer than did the first humans. Is this true? Is this an empirical observation, or just empty speculation? Now the question; If it's true, is it true of squirrels and sharks also? Is it true of any species of bird or animal?

- I personally don't think it is so of other species. My second question then is this; How could could it be true of human beings?

Notes;
1. Happy at Last - Richard O'Connor p.30
- I'm not quoting O'Connor because he's any authority on evolutionary theory, but because his opinion is par for the course with people writing popular books on science... and I just happened to be reading his book last night. (The book isn't much; not nearly of the quality of his book 'Undoing Depression' - which is the best book on the subject that I've read.)
2. We're told endlessly that humans are now both longer-lived and more intelligent (by orders of magnitude) than the first humans, but I don't see evidence this is true of any other species. How's come, as our gang used to say as lads.
3. This idea humans have gradually lived longer and longer over the ages, goes against the biblical record; where mankind is seen as living shorter periods over time. (I find it comical to hear writers claim that people only lived an average of 30-40 years in Greek and Roman times, when the in the Old Testament man life's span was given as 70 years. Maybe people had evolved the ability to count accurately yet :=)
- Moses lived to be 120 if I remember correctly.