Why did the Matrix simulate 1999 instead of a pre-computer year?

In The Matrix, the people within the Matrix live in a simulated version of the year 1999. It's already been asked why the machines bothered with the Matrix at all, but let's assume that they had a good reason. My question is: why simulate 1999 or a similar year in which computers are prevalent?

It seems that those who get free, and notably Neo, benefit greatly from the knowledge of computers that they learn while growing up in the Matrix. So why didn't they simulate a year that was before computers, say 1890 or even something more primitive like 900 AD. If they had simulated one of these years, then the machines wouldn't have had as much problem if a human had managed to get free as the human would have no concept of what a computer was, meaning not only would they have greater difficulty conceptualizing the Matrix but also they wouldn't know how to operate computers and other technology that would ultimately be used to fight the machines.

I realize that there is Smith's line about how 1999 was "the height of human civilization", but it doesn't sound like not being in 1999 would make the Matrix any less effective at controlling humans. So why did the Matrix simulate 1999 instead of a pre-computer year?

Answer

Maybe 1999 was the era that had the longest life expectancy for the average human.

Neo: If you're killed in the Matrix, you die here?
Morpheous: The body cannot live without the mind.

Maybe the machines thought humans would relive their past, and in the early 20th century they would have major wars that resulted in "entire crops" being lost. Or a repeat of the crusades.

The average life expectancy in 1900 was 47 years, compare that to 1999 where it was 76.7 - cdc.gov. That doesn't necessarily mean anything though, because the humans are in a controlled environment. Presumably, they don't have exposure to viruses, bacteria, or harmful substances (unless the gel is harmful).

If the most common cause of unexpected death in the Matrix is violent death, you want to choose a setting where that is at a minimal. Maybe you could disperse the population over a massive area, so no one ever interacts with anyone else, but then people would die from lack of social contact. Better to choose a time and place where the people are more docile. Perhaps 1999 marked a time with less conflict (although the movie didn't know this, it was right before 9/11, and the subsequent wars with Afghanistan and Iraq).