How about an analogy like the magical "fire sticks" white men possessed while they warred against the red men?
Do you think the natives recognized them as technological items or did they perceive them as "magic?"

I'm sure there are plentiful similar examples but I'm also sure that none would be convincing enough for you.

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"Where the telescope ends, the microscope begins. Which of the two has the greater view?" - Hugo

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." - Churchill