Sure can... Just takes longer as there will be no competition between a tribe and a neighboring tribe.
Humans have a competitive spirit and that is what has driven all advancements in technology, sociology, science etc.
Look at Afrika... most tribes developed in isolation and remained really primitive. Tribes 150miles from each other speak totally different languages and have different customs and beliefs. I don't know if it is a lack of adventure or what but up and till the 1650's nothing much happened here. (until the arrival of settlers whom have built large ships and have traveled half way around the world.)
so what i'm trying to say is.... yes it can... but won't be of any major importance to the rest of the world as it would take really long...
Were you thinking of a survivor island with small children with no one to teach them and seeing what will happen over say 1000 years of no outside influence?
