The Land of Painted Caves (Earth's Children 6)

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Just the First Citizen: She's more or the less the Stone Age equivalent of the Pope and the spiritual leader of all the Zelandonii, but is simply known as "Zelandoni Who is First", "First Among Those Who Serve the Mother" or "the First". Freudian Excuse: His mother died when he was young, he was raised by an uncaring relative and bullied and ostracized for being a 'child of mixed spirits'. As a result, he's not only got anger and trust issues, but despises the Clan, blaming them for his misfortune. Beauty Is Bad: She's said to be the most beautiful woman of the Zelandonii, but that's about her only positive trait.

Statuesque Stunner: She was once considered stunningly beautiful and Jondalar thinks she's still attractive; she's mentioned as being a tall woman, just slightly shorter than Ayla (who is nearly six feet tall).A member of the Ninth Cave, who is strongly implied to be part Clan and thus got bullied as a child. He now has some serious self-esteem problems and develops an unhealthy obsession with Ayla. In the book’s second half, five years have passed and Ayla’s acolyte training has occupied much of her time. While refraining from attending the annual summer meeting to complete the last of her obligations, Ayla accidently drinks a hallucinogenic tea that sends her on a three-day psychedelic trip. Vividly described by Auel, Ayla’s trip ends with her in a cave, where she experiences her calling from a higher power known as the Great Earth Mother — Ayla’s experience is a gift that comes at great personal sacrifice.

Trade Master of the Zelandonii is a title bestowed upon the lead trader of the Zelandonii (during the main events of the series, Willomar holds this title). Iron Lady: She's tough and authoritative, and isn't afraid to exercise her power if someone gets out of line. Accurate to current DNA evidence, Auel depicts Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals as able to interbreed. The mixed-race children are generally not favorably regarded by either group. As in many historical cultures, malformed Clan children are routinely subjected to exposure, while the Others may allow such children to live but prejudicially label them as 'abominations'. Such children and their experiences enter the plotline in several books of the series. The series is set in Europe during the Upper Paleolithic era, after the date of the first ceramics discovered, but before the last advance of glaciers. The books focus on the period of co-existence between Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals. This would be a good time to use spear-throwers so we can hunt from a safer distance. Several hunters here have been practicing," Jondalar said. It was for just this sort of thing that he had wanted to come home and show everyone the weapon he had developed. "We may not even have to kill one, just injure a couple to teach them to stay away."

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I've tried a spear-thrower a few times, Joharran. I don't have one of my own, and I'm not very good at it," Thefona said, "but I can throw a spear without one." Office of Intellectual Freedom (2013-03-26). "100 most frequently challenged books: 1990-1999". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2020-10-10 . Retrieved 2021-06-20. Massive Numbered Siblings: She has six living children. She neglects all of them, forcing her eldest daughter Lanoga to step in as a parent. She has given birth to seven children in all, but her fifth child died in infancy. First Girl Wins: To Joconan, who loved both her and her friend Bodoa, who had come to train with the zelandonia. However, it's downplayed as Joconan died only a few years into their marriage; Marthona was also very upset that her 'winning' Joconan ruined her close friendship with Bodoa.