a more interesting question I think is what kind of criteria would one use to determine if a civilization (past, present, or fictional future) has advanced, regressed, or stagnated. Personally I think one really good criteria is when a society, civilization, or what have you becomes more interested in improving the wellfare of creatures that haven't achieved sentience (for instance clothing for pets) or preoccupation with internal illusory matters instead of focusing on improving the situationse of the less fortunate (both inside and outside there borders) thats generally a really good sign of either regression, stagnation, or one leading to the other.