…Participating in an ancient infanticide rituals isn't exactly 'progress'. Always some invisible 'excuse' to coerce the populace into performing an atrocity.
…Further back than what you are referencing. Try Sumer and the surrounding area.
…It goes a bit deeper, as much intertwines with the esoteric.
>We gonna figure out how to make gold, next?
…Actually (https://www.thoughtco.com/how-is-gold-formed-4683984)