Set during the period where Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals co-existed it begins with an earthquake shattering young Ayla’s carefree life as a child as it leads to the loss of her parents, a significant life-threatening injury from a cave lion, and aimless wandering. Discovered and ultimately adopted by a Neanderthal clan, ruled by their traditions and group memories, she struggles to find the balance between acclimating and her natural tendencies, which dramatically conflict with her adoptive family. Finding acceptance becomes especially problematic, as her blue-eyed, blonde appearance, sound making capability and critical thinking, creative mind where considered highly unattractive by clan members, especially the men. Additionally, she continually discovered situations and tasks where, when told women can’t do that, she, in fact, did and also performed superiorly to the men. Born as a Cro-Magnon, or “Others” as her clan refers to them, there stands a conflict between nature and nurture aspects of growing up and developing individual
Set during the period where Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals co-existed it begins with an earthquake shattering young Ayla’s carefree life as a child as it leads to the loss of her parents, a significant life-threatening injury from a cave lion, and aimless wandering. Discovered and ultimately adopted by a Neanderthal clan, ruled by their traditions and group memories, she struggles to find the balance between acclimating and her natural tendencies, which dramatically conflict with her adoptive family. Finding acceptance becomes especially problematic, as her blue-eyed, blonde appearance, sound making capability and critical thinking, creative mind where considered highly unattractive by clan members, especially the men. Additionally, she continually discovered situations and tasks where, when told women can’t do that, she, in fact, did and also performed superiorly to the men. Born as a Cro-Magnon, or “Others” as her clan refers to them, there stands a conflict between nature and nurture aspects of growing up and developing individual