The ’Named’ storyline takes place in the Early-Mid Miocene, 25-15 million years ago, along the Pacific Coast of what is now North-Central California. During this geological phase, the Ocean’s irrepressible waves buried portions of California’s shoreline, ascending to obscure Costal Ranges, cutting inland towards the San Joaquin River. Although much of California’s weather is based on its diverse latitude, the Miocene epoch’s overall Climate was moderately warm, (if not heating up!) with temperate Summers and mild Winters. Vegetation mimics the flora of our own generation, adding detail to lush pine forests, whispering prairies, and dusky mountains. During this stage, the World was an untamed universe. Mankind had yet to wink into existence, and Human ancestors would remain absent and undeveloped for another 21-12 million years before making an appearance. (They do not enter suit until 3.5 M.A) The Planet’s inheritors were animals – each uniquely adapted to match their living environment. Ancient horses, fork-nosed deer, primal rhinos, mammoths, swine, bats, camels, primates – all had established an evolutionary claim somewhere in North America by 20 M.A. Stranger still were the massive ground sloths, immense flightless birds, and large bear dogs. This is the world within which Clare Bell has staged her masterpiece, pitting the Named and their way of life against immeasurable odds, painting a uniquely magnificent portrait of struggle and survival.