Screens of the Stone Age

By Josh Lindal, Dr. Kimberly Plomp, and Dr. Ross BarnettTV & Film Science Education Film Reviews Natural Sciences

Screens of the Stone Age episodes

September 27 Episode 138: Stig of the Dump (2002)
Today we’re reviewing... *checks notes* ... Stig of the Dump, again? That’s right, we’re reviewing the 2002 remake! It’s surprising how much has changed in 20 years: the family dynamic shifted from latchkey kids to helicopter grandparents; the thieves are leaving the fine silver in favour of Dreamcast consoles; and Stig himself has devolved from a clever Neolithic boy to an apelike “Stiganopithecus.”
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
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In this episode:
Watch Stig of the Dump (2002) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEHSzfpwCzQ
Listen to the audiobook on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GweIzXKvc3Y
List of Greek and Latin roots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_and_Latin_roots_in_English
Australopithecus species: https://www.johnhawks.net/p/guide-to-australopithecus-species
Denisovan leg bones from Taiwan reveal large body size: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.07.743438
Our episode on Neander-Jin (2011): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-25-neander-jin-2011/
Our episode on As Above, So Below (2014): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-89-as-above-so-below-2014/
52 min
September 13 Episode 137: Stig of the Dump (1981)
Stig of the Dump is a 1963 children’s novel by Clive King which spawned at least two TV adaptations; today we’re reviewing the first, from 1981. It’s a very gentle, very British show in which a neglected child befriends a caveman in a garbage dump and everyone else gaslights him for 10 episodes.
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
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APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Watch Stig of the Dump (1981) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzpHCBSQN-A&list=PLohd5UVV10lz2NuSBh2YuPyjoxewQNi8p
Listen to the audiobook of Stig of the Dump on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GweIzXKvc3Y
Sherbet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherbet_(frozen_dessert)
Conkers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conkers
Larder: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larder
Prize-Giving Day: https://www.gauthmath.com/knowledge/What-is-a-Prize-Giving-Day--7389728173675511819
Star Carr: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Carr
The Tucson Garbage Project: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson_Garbage_Project
Wierer et al. (2018) The Iceman’s lithic toolkit: Raw material, technology, typology and use: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198292
Our episode on Iceman (2017): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-4-iceman-2017/
Harris. (2018) Roll Me a Great Stone: A Brief Historiography of Megalithic Construction and the Genesis of the Roller Hypothesis: https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12142
Kits Coty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit%27s_Coty_House
Dolmen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmen
1 hr 3 min
August 30 Episode 136: The Bison’s Legs (2024) with Maarten Peels
Today we’re joined by filmmaker Maarten Peels to talk about his 2024 short film De Poten van de Bizon (The Bison’s Legs), the story of two friends who go on a dream quest to make a cave painting. Maarten did extensive research in order to avoid the clichéd caveman tropes and make something we’ve never seen before: a plausible and scientifically accurate portrayal of Palaeolithic life. We are absolutely in love with this film, and highly recommend that you pause the episode and go watch it right now!
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Watch The Bison’s Legs on Maarten’s Website: https://www.potenvandebizon.nl/
Follow Maarten on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/depotenvandebizon/
Hear more from Maarten on the EXARC Podcast: https://www.exarc.org/exarc-podcast/filming-prehistory-getting-it-right
Experimental archaeologist Diederik Pomstra: https://www.puttinglife.com/blog/the-essential-knowledge-of-a-craftsperson/
Marc Azéma: Animation in Palaeolithic art: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00062785
Chauvet bison painting: https://archeologie.culture.gouv.fr/chauvet/en/mediatheque?page=%2C1
Palaeolithic Thaumatrope: https://archive.org/details/eight-legged-boar-animation/An%20ancient%20spinning%20disk%20%28reconstruction%20shown%29%20found%20in%20what%27s%20now%20southwestern%20France%20may%20have%20been%20a%20children%27s%20toy..jpg
Prehistoric Humans in Film and Television: 581 Dramas, Comedies and Documentaries, 1905–2004
by Michael Klossner (2006) https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/prehistoric-humans-in-film-and-television/
The Invention of Prehistory: Empire, Violence, and our Obsession with Human Origins by Stefanos Geroulanos (2024): https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324091455/
1 hr 4 min
August 16 Episode 135: Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968)
Today we’re reviewing Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968), the story of a cool Russian sci-fi movie about an exploratory mission to Venus which an American studio dubbed and re-cut to include telepathic “prehistoric” women, for some reason. In truth there’s very little prehistory in this one, so we get to talk about space travel for forty minutes! (Astronomers and engineers, please send your complaints and corrections to [email protected])
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Watch Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6mHuM8SWs4
Watch Planeta Bur (Planet of Storms) (1962) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VTF23EFvEM
Watch Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1dtqIPlERU
Asimov’s Three Rules of Robotics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics
Mant! – Matinee (1993): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-brLyrdTyA
Venus: https://science.nasa.gov/venus/
Missions to Venus: https://science.nasa.gov/venus/exploration/
Venus Life Finder: https://www.planetary.org/space-missions/rocket-lab-venus-mission
Self-driving cars and the Trolley Problem: https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/10/24/139313/a-global-ethics-study-aims-to-help-ai-solve-the-self-driving-trolley-problem/
The Passengers by John Marrs: https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/the-passengers
Are Autonomous Vehicles safer than Human Drivers? https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/the-safety-data-on-autonomous-vehicles
Bicycle Couriers in Canada can claim food as a fuel expense: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/sole-proprietorships-partnerships/report-business-income-expenses/completing-form-t2125/line-8523-meals-entertainment-allowable-part-only.html#extra
45 min
August 02 Episode 134: The Wild Women of Wongo (1958)
Today we’re reviewing the feminist classic The Wild Women of Wongo (1958), which tells the story of two prehistoric tribes: one where all the women are beautiful and all the men are brutes, and the other vice versa. But don’t worry – social norms are upheld in the end and everyone is married off to an equally attractive partner.
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Watch The Wild Women of Wongo (1958) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnVMGixO3-c
Pathécolor: https://filmcolors.org/timeline-entry/1218/
Burmese pythons in Florida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_pythons_in_Florida\
William Marsden, creator or Wonder Woman: https://www.npr.org/2014/10/27/359078315/the-man-behind-wonder-woman-was-inspired-by-both-suffragists-and-centerfolds
Our episode on Eegah! (1962): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-53-eegah-1962/
Coral Castle: https://coralcastle.com/
H.H. Holmes’ Murder Castle: https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-h-h-holmes
The Tubes - Wild Women of Wongo (Live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHk6wqqXMlg
Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClxXDfvtoj0
Ancient Aliens: How Were These Mysterious Structures Built?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN1yCWWN-Eo
Magnetic Currents by Edward Leedskalnin: https://www.leedskalnin.com/Leedskalnins-Writings-MAGNETIC-CURRENT.html
53 min
July 19 Episode 133: First Man (2017)
First Man (2017) is a “documentary” with an interesting relationship to scientific facts and a disturbing view of human nature. It follows human evolution through four reconstructed ancestors: an early beta cuck ape from Spain; a Tate stan basal hominin from Chad; an ancestral alpha mogger from South Africa; and a brainmaxxing sigma arsonist from China. Join us as we break down the silly walks, unnecessarily blurred monkey genitals, and (content warning!) graphic sexual assault.
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Pierolapithecus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierolapithecus
Sahelanthropus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahelanthropus
Gigantopithecus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantopithecus
Sivapithecus/Ramapithecus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivapithecus
Paranthropus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranthropus
Graecopithecus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graecopithecus
Peking Man (Homo erectus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_Man
Harbin/Dragon Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbin_cranium
Our episode on Skullduggery (1970): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-34-skullduggery-1970/
Our episode on Sasquatch Sunset (2024): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-106-sasquatch-sunset-2024/
Grieving chimpanzee carries dead baby for months: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4Wk-hujPY
Zhoukoudian: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhoukoudian_Peking_Man_Site
The myth of the alpha wolf: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-alpha-wolf-idea-a-myth/
Parsimony: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_parsimony
Boma predator deterrent: https://news.mongabay.com/2017/09/keeping-lions-at-bay-to-keep-them-going/
Gao et al. (2017) Evidence of hominin use and maintenance of fire at Zhoukoudian: https://doi.org/10.1086/692501
Laughter in animals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughter_in_animals
Pusceddu et al. (2025) Animal medical systems from Apis to apes: history, recent advances and future perspectives: https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.70060
Ventro-ventro position (doggy is not the only style): https://synapsida.blogspot.com/2015/12/doggy-is-not-only-style.html
Man vs. horse races (horses have won): https://ultrarunninghistory.com/man-vs-horse/
Persistence hunting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting
Aiello and Wheeler (1995) The Expensive-tissue hypothesis: The brain and the digestive system in human and primate evolution: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2744104
Wrangham (2009) Catching Fire: How Cooking Made us Human: https://heb.fas.harvard.edu/publication/catching-fire-how-cooking-made-us-human
1 hr 17 min
July 05 Episode 132: In the Blink of an Eye (2026)
They keep making them, so we keep reviewing them! In the Blink of an Eye (2026) tells the tragic tale of an adorably precocious child’s radicalization and eventual transformation into a billionaire tech bro who destroys the earth. It’s a triptych of past, present, and future, taking us from an endearing mixed race Neanderthal family, to Rashida Jones’ groundbreaking PhD research, to a genetically engineered sci-fi Kate McKinnon’s quest to find the next planet to destroy. It’s alright, I guess.
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Longevity-obsessed tech billionaires: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/11/health/kara-swisher-longevity-wellness
Kepler 16b: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler-16b
The ichnology of White Sands (New Mexico): Linear traces and human footprints, evidence of transport technology? https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2025.100274
RNA World: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_world
Hairdos in prehistory: https://richlyadorned.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/hairdos-in-prehistoric-europe/
How to order authors in scientific papers: https://wordvice.com/blog/journal-article-author-order/
How to format genus/species names: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d_5jDJvYwY
Berger and Trinkaus (1995) Patterns of Trauma among the Neandertals: https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4403(95)90013-6
The Divje Babe Flute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHXV07YCGKY
Lawnmower RC Airplane: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SuZLxMIsN6k
Neanderthals and ancient DNA: https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/genetics/ancient-dna-and-neanderthals
1 hr 21 min
June 21 Episode 131: Classic Caveman Cartoons (Part 2)
Ehh, what’s up, doc? But in this case the “doc” is a PhD. Get it? Because we’re... Never mind, we’re back with more classic cartoons! As we move into the second half of the Twentieth Century the characters become more recognizable: Porky Pig, Mighty Mouse, Pink Panther, Woody Woodpecker – we ruin the fun of all these characters by trying to assess what species they are! (Oh wait, I should have said “what’s up, post-doc?”. I’ll keep workshopping it) (Part 2 of 2).
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
Cartoons featured in this episode:
Springtime in the Rock Age (1940): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivk88NXvc_k
Way Back When Women had their Weigh (1940): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUcPMfEGfeI
Prehistoric Porky (1940): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6quxW5pc0
Mighty Mouse – Prehistoric Perils (1952): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAdUiP_giPY
Peabody's Improbable History S3E17 "The First Caveman" (1961): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1r5SZElTzQ
Pink Panther – Prehistoric Pink (1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io5oqdC_1co
Pink Panther – Extinct Pink (1969): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y3lt2oWh_0
Prehistoric Super Salesman (1969): https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8imjrh
Other Links:
Meganeura: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meganeura
Snail tape measure: https://yarn-fun.com/products/snail-tape-measure
Black Panthers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_panther
King Cheetah: https://www.reddit.com/r/Awwducational/comments/ga8css/king_cheetahs_are_variety_of_cheetahs_with_a_rare/
What’s Opera, Doc? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9doSQ1cHAw
Bjorn Kurten’s Pleistocene Mammals of Europe: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315126470
Which big cats like catnip? https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8td7ut/does_catnip_affect_wild_felines_the_same_way_it/
Do big cats like catnip? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEdpDl1hSz4
Oldest bows and arrows: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_and_arrow#History
Strawberry leopard: https://nypost.com/2019/08/20/rare-strawberry-leopard-photographed-in-south-africa/
Woody is an Ivory Billed Woodpecker: https://ivory-billedwoodpecker1.blogspot.com/2012/03/woody-woodpecker.html
1 hr
June 07 Episode 130: Classic Caveman Cartoons (Part 1)
Today we’re digging deep into the Stone Age of cinema and reviewing classic cartoons about prehistoric people. From the world’s first animated dinosaur to the advent of colour film, we watched cartoons featuring Felix the Cat, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Daffy Duck, a seriously copyright-infringing couple of mice, and a disturbing amount of sexual violence. (Part 1 of 2)
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
Cartoons featured in this episode:
Gertie the Dinosaur (1914): https://youtu.be/32pzHWUTcPc
Why they love cavemen (1921): https://youtu.be/5ikoWsHLicA
Felix in the Bone Age (1922): https://youtu.be/97V_6O3iHbE
Stone Age Stunts (1930): https://youtu.be/Ojdjl3VEnn4
The Stone Age – Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (1931): https://youtu.be/wqayvsVPnlo
Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur (1939): https://youtu.be/X2tgbncOoMk
Other topics:
Mr. DNA’s Science Lesson – Jurassic Park: https://youtu.be/1Uq5WSzUaTQ
Microraptor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor
The Invention of Prehistory (2024) by Stefanos Geroulanos: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324091455/
Anas rubripes, the American Black Duck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_duck
Black Swedish duck: https://livestockconservancy.org/swedish-duck/
Sinclair Oil: https://www.sinclairoil.com/dino-history
52 min
May 24 Episode 129: Gendy Tartakovsky’s Primal (2019-)
Primal (2019-) is an animated series by Gendy Tartakovsky set in an alternate prehistory in which Neanderthals and dinosaurs coexist. Setting aside the anachronisms, this series has received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and unique visual storytelling format. Kim doesn’t care about that—she was too traumatized by the first episode to watch any further.
Get in touch with us!
Bluesky: @sotsapodcast.bsky.social
Facebook: @SotSAPodcast
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/sotsa/
Website: https://screensofthestoneage.com
Email: [email protected]
ArchPodNet:
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
Merch Store: https://archpodnet.com/shop
In this episode:
Watch Gendy Tartakovsky’s Primal on the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/primal-s-2-e-10/Primal+S1E1.mp4
Listen to our episode on Ironmaster (1983): https://screensofthestoneage.com/podcast/episode-58-ironmaster-1983/
Platt et al. (2026) Interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans was strongly sex biased: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aea6774
Weaver and Hublin (2009) Neandertal birth canal shape and the evolution of human childbirth: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0812554106
Ceratosaurus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratosaurus
Giganotosaurus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giganotosaurus
Dinosaur colouration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_coloration
Darwin's Acid - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apICqy01jo4
Neanderthal fishing: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106731
Trinkaus and Villotte (2017) External auditory exostoses and hearing loss in the Shanidar 1 Neandertal: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186684
Megalania: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalania
Voay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voay
Mekosuchus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekosuchus
50 min

About Screens of the Stone Age

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The podcast where scientists review movies about prehistoric people! From The Flintstones to The Croods, from Iceman to Encino Man, from Year One to One Million Years BC, we dig into popular movies…

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