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Earth's Children

Earth's Children (in English: Earth's Children) is a historical novel series by the American author Jean M. Auel, set in Europe during the Paleolithic era, approximately 25,000 years ago.

↓ To the books in this series ↓ 

  • About the series

    The series consists of six books, the first of which was published in 1980:

    1. The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980)
    2. The Valley of Horses (1982)
    3. The Mammoth Hunters (1985)
    4. The Plains of Passage (1990)
    5. The Shelters of Stone (2002)
    6. The Land of Painted Caves (2011)

  • The story

    The series follows the life of Ayla, a Cro-Magnon girl who is left orphaned as a child after an earthquake. She is found and raised by the Clan, a tribe of Neanderthals. The books explore her unique position as someone from a different species trying to survive in a world full of dangers, while also examining the cultural differences between Neanderthals and modern humans.

  • Thematic elements

    Auel pays a great deal of attention to:

    • Prehistoric way of life: hunting, gathering, survival techniques
    • Cultural differences: between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens
    • Medicine and herbal knowledge
    • Religious practices and rituals
    • The role of women and social structures

    The author conducted extensive research into the Paleolithic period, making the books both narrative and educational. Although some anthropological interpretations have been revised since their publication, the series remains popular among fans of historical fiction.