What was fundamentally different about that period of time to what it is now that would stop us returning to that price point? I'd appreciate any reliable information sources to back up any comments?
Absolutely nothing, instead btc is more prone to getting back to where it started from and even less if an institution decides to take on an exchange to favor their short opportunity which will be followed by other panic sellers (except if btc gets bought by another institution for cheap as that will maintain the price from falling so quick).