BTW, "billiard balls being hit together" is EXACTLY the same sound effect I thought.

As to "that Utah man business", the reason why I think (after several listens to this) it was stressed is that it was supposed to have deeply affected Rose's character enough to make him totally opposed to considering exploiting the "Gigantispithecus" (sic? I think at one time it was pronounced "Gigantopithecus" as well in the show). At one point he also hinted that were he to do so he'd be finished as a scientist as a result of that "business.

I agree...I can't remember any other cavemen, dinosaurs or prehistoric whatnot being used in other RMT plot lines.