In a remote mountain tribe, the Yagahl people rely on the hunt of a great mammoth herd for survival. D'Leh, a young hunter, has been in love with the beautiful Evolet since she was brought to their village as an orphan. His love is destined to intertwine with his fate when a band of warlords raids their village, capturing many of the tribe's people, including Evolet. D'Leh, guided by a prophecy told to him by the shaman Old Mother, is impelled to lead a small group of hunters on a perilous quest to rescue their kin.

Their journey leads them through diverse, uncharted territories filled with prehistoric dangers, from savage beasts to harsh environments. Among their number is Tic'Tic, a seasoned warrior who becomes a mentor to D'Leh, teaching him what it means to be a true leader. As D'Leh embraces his destiny, he must navigate the treacherous landscape, forge unlikely alliances, and battle a rival tribe that enslaves others. Their quest will take them to the very heart of a civilization whose influence reaches far beyond their wildest imaginations—a place where monumental constructs defy the natural world and where the fate of their people will be decided.