I think that any civilization creates (or adapts) the technology necessary to it. (You can substitute "culture" or any other word of similar meaning, if "civilization" makes you uneasy.)

As a civilization evolves, certain technologies, once necessary, fall by the wayside (even though they may still continue to be practiced). For instance, it is no longer necessary to know how to make flint arrowheads, although it once was of vital importance. Some people still do make not only arrowheads, but other tools of stone and keep the knowledge of such skills alive.

Other technologies evolve and grow into something else, possibly something quite different from what was originally envisioned. One such obvious example is the cards used in the Jaquard loom; they are the direct ancestors of Hollerith cards, paper computer tape, and so on.

Often, too, it seems that the same invention breaks out in many places at the same time. This does not mean that one person stole ideas from another ("Lobachevsky" not withstanding). Eli Whitney did not invent the first cotton gin; he did make it successful. When the time is right it seems like invention happens whether you want it to or not.

My ancestors -- and yours, most likely -- were at least as intelligent as I am. They probably were better observers than I am. In any case, they certainly raised the pyramids and Stonehenge without the help of space aliens. And while I'm not discounting the possiblity that they also invented faster than light travel, time machines, death rays, and so on I haven't seen evidence that they did so. Maybe they were a lot smarter than I thought. Hmmmmmmmm....