[poiuyt098]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precursorism

states it more clearly

"... a characteristic of that kind of historical writing in which the author seeks antecedents of present-day institutions or ideas in earlier historical periods. This kind of anachronism is considered to be a form of Whig history ..."

[dragonwriter]

Except in the rare case where a new idea emerges and is introduced fully formed in its final stage, there are precursors of present-day institutions and ideas in earlier historical periods so seeking them would just be normal history.

[mannykannot]

That's true in general, but that is not what seems to be the case here, and the full article on precursorism linked by poiuyt098 suggests that correct usage would be confined to such cases.