So, with the new DLC we get Crossbows back.

However, we only ever had them in a small way, as they were pretty rare in Morrowind. On my playthrough I would find bolts occasionally, and I believe I found a crossbow or two, but that was across a long playthrough. It was always more practical to use a bow. We also know that Sheogorath favors them, but that r be Daggerfall lore. (I don't actually recall if you can use them in Daggerfall, and I don't believe they showed up at all in Arena?)

They seem to generally have never caught on for armies and merc groups elsewhere in Tamriel, such as Cyrodiil. In fact, they may only be around in Morrowind due to the Dwemer influence, and if they are in Daggerfall the same reason.

Fast forwards to Skyrim, we are only just getting them back as an option, and only then as a Vampire Huntng sects signiture weapon. They do seem to be persistant, not fading away permanently.

Is it simply because the bow works well enough, and where it does not there is magic? Is it because the Dwemer used them? Is it simply a quirk that they didn't catch on?

Most of all, how does/is it going to influence ant sort of advancement on Nirn? There is the technological stasis that fantasy falls into and is nice, but the fact Crossbows exist does show that there are some none-mage inventors out there, and while slow, things are creeping forwards. The next step weaponry wise is the matchlock pistol or rifle.

And the concept is the same for other technology. There is plenty to learn from the Dwemer, and there are inventors slowly creepign Tamriel forwards. It may take thousands of years longer in Tamriel, but there is no rush as long as Talos remains, and Alduin stays. wherever.

Has anyone got any thoughts on the subject?

Tamrielic technology is not bound to follow existing examples of development. Dividing weapons into steps or levels or tiers is an absurdly bad way to conceptualize things.

Everywhere you look in the world, you're seeing technology. A hand-axe is technology. So is a windmill, a fortress wall, a ship, a cart, a loom, and so on. However, the Elder Scrolls generally adhere to the worldview of retrograde development seen in many of our world's ancient legends and myths, e.g. those of the Greeks, in which the world is continually falling further and further from its former glory. Lost technology may be momentarily reclaimed, but eventually all is lost to time and human foolishness.

Well, an advancement would be okay and possible I suppose I mean, they already have spaceships, but not something like riffle or pistol or cars.