I assume you mean their culture and architecture from around 1100 or 1200? Fair enough, though I still dont know of much in the way of technological breakthroughs or process on the continent in the past 700 years or so. Has there been any? Maybe, but I havent heard of anything (not the same as saying there absolutely hasnt been any).
My point is not that the people are somehow inferior, but that for the most part, their cultures do not produce much in the way of prosperity, security, or technological advancement for their people.