The Clan of the Cave Bear

The prehistoric world that Auel dramatizes in The Clan of the Cave Bear, with its “Others” (Cro-Magnons) and “Clan” (Neanderthals), was based on speculation when it was published. Since then, the examination of ancient DNA and improved archaeological techniques have changed our picture of both peoples.

Neanderthals evolved in Europe and western Asia, and they persisted until roughly 40,000 years ago, although the precise timing varied by region. Modern humans originated in Africa, and their migration to Europe occurred in several waves. While classic estimates place the first Homo sapiens there around 45,000 years ago, recent discoveries suggest pockets of an earlier presence in parts of western Europe. By 45-40,000 years ago, modern humans were established over much of the continent.

Neanderthals and incoming modern humans overlapped across Europe for around 2,600-5,400 years, long enough for repeated contact and cultural exchange. As depicted in the novel through Durc and Ura, interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals has been scientifically proven to have occurred. Sequenced Neanderthal genomes, combined with modern human genomes worldwide, show that interbreeding happened multiple times after Homo sapiens left Africa. As a result, most people outside Africa carry a small amount of Neanderthal DNA.

While the novel’s depiction of modern humans and Neanderthals being able to produce children has since been supported by evidence, other depictions in the book have been largely debunked, particularly those concerning Neanderthals.