The addition of a new era will prolong a science victory. I don't know by how much for effective players, maybe 20 turns? We can't tell yet how exactly it will work and what it will require. This does not disprove your point at all, but weaken it a bit, since an early +1 production on a worked tile can than be worth more over time. And the Maori have it from turn 4 or 5, whenever they settle. Certainly, lumber mills are still too late to be useful though. And I don't think it makes it worth to improve deer, since camps are so weak for most of the game.This is useless. I chop trees only for production boost, and seldom build mines over it. You know, a game lasts short, if you're at turn 100, there's only ~50 turns for the rest of the game, thus turn-based production is seldom useful.
What's your impression about the Marae? Is it worth to invest in a TS and a Marae if you want to go for a science victory? Or is it a waste of time? I think the extra culture might be worth it in some specific cities, but my assessment is purely built gut feeling here.