Orphaned by an earthquake at the age of five, Ayla is left without family or people. Until she is adopted by the Clan, a group of Neanderthal.
Ayla inspires first surprise, then wariness and finally acceptance by the Clan. She is cared for by its medicine woman Iza and its wise holy man Creb. Only their future leader, Broud, is not willing to accept this strange woman.
Consumed with hatred, he does all he can to destroy her.
But Ayla bears the marks and the spirit of her totem, the Cave Lion. She is a survivor.