Episode 6: The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)

Today we’re joined by Prof. Mirjana Roksandic to discuss The Clan of the Cave Bear, a story about a modern human adopted by a clan of Neanderthals. Author Jean Auel did a commendable amount of research for her book series, but scientific paradigms change fast in palaeoanthropology. How does the movie hold up 35 years later? Let’s find out!

(Note: this episode contains a brief discussion of scenes depicting sexual violence)

In this episode:

• The genetics of skin and hair colour

• Cave Bear cults

• The Shanidar 1 Neanderthal burial, Iraq

• Feminism in the Clan of the Cave Bear

• Human hybridization: Neanderthal mother, Denisovan Father