It can be legitimately unclear. Relatively-advanced technology being available to early humans is remarkable. Likewise, achieving difficult tasks without the relatively-advanced technology is remarkable. Some prototypical examples of this:

- Incan stonework with stones 'perfectly' cut to fit without mortar -- did they have advanced tools to support that? Or just persistence?

- Greek fire -- is there some lost mechanism here? Or just the growth of legends?

- the pyramids (I think not so controversial among academics, but certainly in pop culture)