I watch a lot of ancient history shows on PBS, etc. There are many groaners in there about "sophisticated astronomy", like when some ancients managed to point a building at the summer solstice. Another groaner is bleating about "advanced engineering" when talking about a large mound or pile of rocks.

One of the dumbest was the claim that the close fits of rocks in South America "so tight a knife won't fit in the cracks" must have been done by space alien technology. This silliness persisted until an archaeologist showed how to make such a joint in about half an hour by banging and rubbing rocks together.

What the ancients did do very well with, however, was manipulating the natural world to their benefit. I.e. making gardens, cultivating plants, managing livestock, etc.

Edit: for those who are wondering, the altitude and azimuth of the sun at the solstice can be accurately determined simply by erecting a vertical pointed stick, and having a bit of patience. That's it.