Scene 1: Flood of Species
This scene takes place on the coast of LA about 13.2 thousand years before present. The camera slowly zooms in on an plentiful portion of land that has dozens of Smilodon cats and American lions in what appears to be a territorial battle. Both species are large and well fed; California was filled with vegetation and small animals that were perfect for these carnivores to feed on (Ethington. Lecture. Sept 1). Slowly, the American lions are beat out of the territory and the Smilodon Cats seem to be victorious. This "victory" does not last long; all of a sudden a flood of Clovis warriors enter the scene by boat. Their boats are small, wooden vessels that appear to have travelled a long distance. These warriors are armed with sharp stone-pointed spears that were very effective in killing the megafauna they so often hunted. Their spears are artfully crafted and crucial to defeating their animal enemies (Ethington, Regime I).
The scene transpires to a violent predator-prey chase between the Clovis fighters and the saber-toothed cats. The Clovis people appear to all be following the lead of one tall brilliant leader; his name is Coyote. Coyote is different from the other Clovis warriors in that he looks stronger, runs faster, and give all of the hunting commands. Coyote and the Clovis people chase the last saber-toothed cat that remains in the territory. The warrior team follows Coyotes' lead as he arranges them to circle around the vicious animal. The animal is becoming more and more agitated as it realizes it is alone and surrounded. As Coyote signals, the Clovis hunters slowly close in on the animal, and together they all strike. The Clovis people are nomadic hunters; they move from location to location following food and opportunity. The scene ends as Coyote and his Clovis followers carry the dead caracas of the saber-toothed cat back to their community to share the feast.
