Austin Film Festival Review: The Stones Are Speaking

Archaeology takes patience, and it takes passion. That may not sound all that cinematic, but it’s the determination and enthusiasm of its practitioners – and most especially one man, Dr. Michael Collins – that makes The Stones Are Speaking such a compelling watch.

Olive Talley’s documentary establishes the life and career of Collins in by-the-numbers fashion. However, the main focus of the film is the Gault Archeological Site, located in Central Texas, and Collins’ role in making sure it will remain an open source for continued study. The site, a rich deposit of artifacts that was for many years in the hands of private owners, held evidence that changed the way scholars understood the peopling of the Americas.

What makes The Stones Are Speaking so engrossing is the humanity revealed at the center of the science. Collins’ passion for archaeology is clearly on display, through archival footage, interviews with him and his friends and colleagues, and in his commitment to share such a rich wealth of knowledge. The personal sacrifices he made – from devoting endless hours of digging to self-financing the eventual purchase of the site – are moving, too.

Among all the wonder and awe, the film has room for colorful characters – including the Lindseys, the original land owners who were cautious of Collins at first but then came to understand the natural treasure trove they had in their backyard, and the myriad archaeologists, who devoted countless hours of hard work, knee deep in dirt and mud, to help Collins learn as much as possible from the dig site.

Listening to everyone talk about their experiences in Gault brings the power of archaeology into focus. “I was able to recognize a feeling this person had,” one archaeologists says about finding a broken artifact that must have frustrated its creator. Looking at objects that are tens of thousands of years old can provide a window into the past, but a mirror, too. Humanity hasn’t changed all that much, it turns out, even in that vast expanse of time.

Overall, this charming documentary is a testament to the good work one person can do, and the impact he can make. A through line within the The Stones Are Speaking is Collins’ infectious passion for the science, and how he was able to share it with everyone – including, via this film, whole new audiences.

Editor’s note: This review originally misindentified Gault researchers as geologists; they are archaeologists. Additionally, this review has been updated to include the full name of the Gault Archeological Site.

The Stones Are Speaking

World Premiere

This article appears in October 25 • 2024.