Yes, the separation and mixing of pastoralist cultures sounds like it would evolve innovations more quickly than homogenous, standardized, organized city states.

Could also apply to the evolution of the mutation for lactose-tolerance in adulthood.

  “You want the taste of dried leaves boiled in water?”
  “Er, yes. With milk.”
  “Squirted out of a cow?”
  “Well in a manner of speaking, I suppose…”
  “I’m going to need some help with this one.”