Four thousand years ago - a group of bronze-age refugees flee the salt-mines of Hallstatt in Austria, escaping the persecution and probable death. They make their way across Europe and Asia, surviving hunger, severe winters and attacks by strangers. The tribe, known to themselves as the Arkentii, develop their ideas on morality as they are forced to adapt to changing circumstances. There is intrigue and conflict, love and sex. The Arkentii reach the end of their adventure in Xinjiang region of China, where their bodies are preserved as the mummies of Urumqi. Modern day - a team of archaeologists producing a documentary about the mummies for a Hong Kong film company become embroiled in the local political situation between Uighur separatists and the Chinese administration. This team bears a striking resemblance to the Arkentii group, and - unavoidably - there is, of course, intrigue and conflict, love and sex.