I wasn't talking about indivduals. Homo Erectus didn't launch a civilisation. Nor did Homo habilis, Homo cepranensis, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo rhodesiensis, Homo neanderthalensis etc. That is relevant data.

H. neanderthalensis had complicated tools and weapons, including spears and axes and there's evidence of tools used to stitch garments together. There's some (controversial) evidence that neanderthals made musical instruments, and the presence of remains indicating severe wounds that have since healed suggests that they cared for their wounded. So how much civilization is necessary for something to be considered civilization?

(Note that there are two problems with my example of neanderthals- First, they had average brain size that was as large or larger than Homo sapiens so they may have been as smart. Second, many neanderthals coexisted with populations of H. sapiens and so may have obtained tools by trade and imitation.)