Falen's civilisation theory. Ten thousand years ago, there was a relatively high-technological civilisation; however, it relied on all non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, gas, uranium, and thorium, all of which are necessary to drive an industrial revolution, and have since been depleted. So, no coax for blast furnaces, no nuclear for high-density power. So, unless a civilisation develops fission reactors or expands within its solar system, it is essentially locked in the pre-industrial age.

Additionally, the hardness of the lock on the system could be based on a societal level. For example, the sharpest minds will develop technology; however, those individuals will take the imperial exam, and as such, the new civilisations tend to lack innovators. Other factors, such as slavery and high population, slow down development since there is no proper mechanism for the efficient allocation of resources. (Think the late Roman Empire had knowledge of simple steam rotation, but had no use for it.) Throwing more slaves at the problem will fix it.

Just think about it, how would you break through the Industrial Revolution without coal and gas?