Novels set in prehistory
Prehistory is the period of time that runs from the appearance of the first hominids, ancestors of Homo sapiens, to the earliest written documents of which we have documentation. Although it is not such a specific interval at a scientific level, it has served as a reference for researchers and many writers fascinated by the subject.
This period can be dated from the Near East to 3300 BC, and subsequently to the rest of the planet. Therefore, It is usual for authors who address this topic to be set during these dates. This primeval world, full of dangers and secrets, has been presented by some of the world's most brilliant and imaginative minds in some of the greatest books.
Most notable books on prehistory
The Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean Marie Auel
The Clan of the Cave Bear It is the first volume of the saga The Children of the Earth, also composed of The valley of the horses, The Mammoth Hunters, Plains of Transit, The stone shelters y The land of pinted caves. The story follows Ayla, who, when she was five years old, during the last Ice Age, was isolated from her family.Luckily, he finds refuge among the clan members.
However, the members are a little wary of his brave attitude. Even so, The little girl is adopted by Iza, the healer, and Creb, the sorcerer. The only one who doesn't seem to be happy about her presence is the future leader of the tribe, Broud, who will do everything in his power to destroy her. However, Ayla has the protection of the cave lion totem, who chose her thanks to her courage.
Phrases from The Clan of the Cave Bear
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"The paths of destiny are difficult to interpret, but they always lead us to where we should be."
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"Courage is not in the absence of fear, but in the ability to face it and move forward."
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"Patience is the key that opens all doors, even the most difficult ones to cross."
The conquest of fire, by JH Rosny
In prehistoric times, fire was essential for survival: it kept wolves, bears and lions away, provided warmth on cold days and light at night, and allowed the inhabitants of the land to cook their food. One day, the Ulhamr lose the fire they had been keeping in cages., and for obvious reasons, they fall into despair. Then, two groups of warriors set out to bring back the element.
Naoh, Nam and Gau embark on a journey across the known land, while Aghoo and his two brothers begin their search.The reward is the hand of Gammla, the daughter of the tribe's chief, as well as recognition from all members of the clan.
The secret of the goddess, by Lorenzo Mediano
The novel is set 10.000 years before our era, where the future of the tribes could depend on the struggle between nomads and farmers. En book, a group of hunter-gatherers settle in a Mesopotamian valley. This is when a struggle arises between those who want to continue a nomadic life and those - led by women - who prefer to stay and learn to grow cereals.
Later, warriors, shamans, gatherers and hunters clash for the power of the tribe.In the middle, young Maagh tries to create a matriarchal society in which members live off the art of cereals.
Cloudy, by Antonio Perez Henares
The story follows the daily life of Ojo Largo, one of the most outstanding young people of Nublares., a primitive clan that has created its own society. Intelligent and courageous, the protagonist is too independent to accept the rules of his world without opposing them. This is something that is demonstrated through his attraction to Blackbird, the wife of the tribe's witch doctor.
Following the footsteps of the red man, by Lorenzo Mediano
Thirty thousand years before our era, Neanderthals only survived in the south of the Iberian PeninsulaMeanwhile, the Cro-Magnons have spread across the world, exerting their dominance over the lesser species. A new Ice Age begins. At the same time, Ibai, a young Cro-Magnon shaman, goes to the Great River to find a way to defeat the god of cold.
There, on the other side, he meets Bid, a Neanderthal who has left his tribe, eager to prove his worth. His approach shows them how different they are, but also how much they can learn from each other. Over time, they are forced to fight against the fire shaman., who seeks to dominate the gods and the clans.
The song of the bison, by Antonio Lopez Henares
Many ages ago, there were two species on our planet: the sapiens and the Neanderthals.. However, something happened, and one of them disappeared without a trace. This is the story of one of the worst ice ages on Earth, and how the first world war took place, giving rise to domination by the survivors.
Mother Earth, Father Sky, by Sue Harrison
Set in the Aleutian Islands, around the year 7000 BC, the terrible adventure of Chagak takes place, a girl from a village of hunters who die at the hands of bloodthirsty invaders. To save herself, the protagonist sets out to sea in a fragile boat. Then, fate leads her to Shuganan, an old man who lives alone on a remote beach.
However, tragedy soon strikes Chagak's life again: a young hunter takes her by force and plants his seed inside her. Desperate, Shuganan and Chagak make a decision and commit an extreme act in defense of their integrity, but without imagining the consequences they are about to face.
Honorable mentions of novels inspired by prehistory
- Stonehenge, by Bernard Cornwell;
- The Atapuerca Clan. The Curse of the Jaguar Man, by Alvaro Bermejo;
- Stories from prehistory, by David Benito del Olmo;
- On the other side of the fog, by Juan Luis Arsuaga;
- Beyond the sea of ice, by William Sarabande;
- The shaman of the end of the world, by Jean Courtin;
- The Cliff Tribe, by Michel Peyramaure;
- Brother Wolf, by Michelle Paver.