Bringing the Gault Site to the Big Screen • OLIVE TALLEY’S JOURNEY
Olive Talley’s journey to bring the story of the Gault Site to life on the screen began on a trip not to the archaeological site in Florence, Texas, but Antarctica. During the trip, she heard a lecture from National Geographic photographer Kenneth Garrett about his work documenting the global story of humanity’s migration to the Western Hemisphere. “He highlighted the importance of the Gault site in Central Texas and all of us Texans were amazed because we’d never heard of it. As a longtime journalist, I wondered, ‘Why not?’ ”
Olive peppered Ken with questions throughout the trip and called the Gault Site’s primary archaeologist, Mike Collins, when she got home. “It took only one phone call with this engaging scientist to hook me on the story.” She originally set out to write a freelance article about the historic treasure but ultimately decided to tell the Gault story through a documentary — her first project as an indie filmmaker. Five years later, thanks to support from several major foundations, more than 200 donors and the Williamson Museum, Olive is excited to share The Stones Are Speaking with the world.
PRESERVING HISTORY
Olive still marvels at the fact that an obscure little creek bed in rural Central Texas turned out to be one of the most important archaeological sites in the Western Hemisphere. The Stones Are Speaking highlights Mike and his team’s journey of discovering evidence of human life dating back about 20,000 years, which helped dial back the timeline for human arrival in the Americas. “It’s an inspiring story of the power of an individual who, at great risk and personal sacrifice, went the extra mile for a cause bigger than himself,” Olive says. “He rallied a team of professionals and volunteers who shared his passion and came together to save a place that matters to the history of humankind.”
The documentary is more than just a deep dive into ancient history — it’s a call to action. “I hope the film inspires people to work together for the greater good. In this case, to preserve history before it’s irretrievably lost. If we could all be like Mike Collins, the world would be a better place. He gave selflessly to others, sharing his knowledge, educating students, and ultimately saving precious history for the benefit of all of us.”
While the film centers on the site’s scientific significance, it’s the people involved who made the story come alive. “Getting to know the extraordinary range of people who poured heart and soul into saving Gault was the emotional payoff that kept me going on the film for five years.” Some of the people the film’s viewers can look forward to meeting include Mike and Karen Collins, champions of Texas history preservation; Doris and Howard Lindsey, the former landowners who sacrificed their family land for a greater purpose; and many archaeologists, teachers, and students who volunteered countless hours at the site.
Olive hopes the documentary will put the Gault Site on the map for more Texans. “What astounds me is that scientists and archaeologists around the world have known of Gault for decades. But most Texans, even those who live within a few miles of the place, have never heard of it. I was one of those seven years ago. I hope the film puts the Gault site on a bigger map for the general public.”
The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival in October and is set to air on Texas PBS stations in the spring.
To learn more about The Stones Are Speaking, visit gaultfilm.com.