The film Synopsis itself and words from Ridley Scott say that the Space Jockeys are basically the creators of ALL life.
The humans find space co-ordinates to the Jockey/'creators' homeworld and make the mistake of trying to steal the genetic code for the creation of life - which ultimately leads to the Jockeys' unleashing 'something' terrible as punishment.
Google the story of Prometheus the titan from Greek mythology - it has heavy ties to what Ridley Scott is trying to do here.
Prometheus Greek Mythology