Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Ancient Predators From AVP Explained
During the ancient pyramid flashback scene from Alien vs Predator, we see a trio of Youngblood Predators both undergoing the Blooding ritual, and also being worshipped by primitive Humans from the Antarctic civilisation.
They represent a crucial moment in the history of the Yautja species; blending their mythology, technology, and honourable ritual, giving us a glimpse into their past and traditions we don’t normally get to see in movie-form.
Also to note, is how the continents climate was once hot and jungle-ey. We also get a look into their relationship with the native Humans. The Yautja taught them to build pyramids, and presumably, other useful skills, in return for them providing hosts to begin the Xenomorph Hunts every 100 years. The two enjoyed a symbiotic relationship of sorts.
What is noteworthy, is how little their technology has changed over thousands of years; they still have the same type of ships as the Isolated clan members use in 2004, as well as their armour and weapons, they still use Blades, Plasmacasters, and Biomasks.
Telling us that their culture is much more rooted in honour and tradition, rather than rapid advancement.
Something we see in Prey with the Feral Predator, he isn’t overly primitive compared with others who come later, just different.
Interestingly, this contrasts with the Super Predators from Predators, who were upgrading themselves rapidly by taking the best aspects of their prey, and utilising it for themselves to become even deadlier hunters. Showing us how culture differs across the different subspecies of Classic, Super, and Feral Yautja.
The Blooding is where a clan of Predators sent a trio of young hunters who possess the rank of Youngblood; essentially, an adolescent warrior, who, upon the successful slaying of a Xenomorph, will mark themselves with its blood, and complete the right of passage, becoming what is known as “Blooded”, a full member of their clan, and considered an adult by their fellow Yautja. Providing the Eggs needed, is a captive Alien Queen, held inside one of the pyramids.
The three Yautja we see from thousands of years ago, are the Ancient Warrior, Temple Guard, and Youngblood.
Ancient Warrior is most likely the leader, as during the battle, he is positioned front and centre, in the same way Celtic is seen doing. He has the same mask design as the Elder at the end of the film, but less weathered and ornate as that seen belonging to the elder.
His weapons consist of Wristblades, a Combistick, and Plasmacaster.
He is the one who also sets his self-destruct to blow, wiping out the civilisation.
Temple Guard has a different unique mask design, with a slightly rust-coloured armour suit. He’s first seen alongside Ancient Warrior atop one of the pyramids, before fighting alongside him against the hoarde of Xenomorphs.
His weaponry includes Wristblades, the Combistick, and Shoulder Cannon; but he also uses Scimitars, a rarely-seen weapon only otherwise seen on the Chopper Predator. These are a single blade mounted on the underside of each wrist gauntlet, only a lot larger.
And lastly, the third member is YoungBlood; he is first seen atop either the same, or one of the other pyramids, having killed a Xenomorph, and cutting off its head, with it being impaled on his Combistick spear. Confirming he would be a Blooded Yautja.
YoungBlood has the same design of Biomask as Scar, which is similar to that of the Jungle Hunter from the first Predator movie.
We next see him fighting alongside his two brothers, before they are overrun by hundreds of Xenomorphs.
He is seen using the same weapons as Ancient Warrior - Wristblades, Combistick, and Plasmacaster.
Each Predator have their own action figure from NECA toys, with their own distinct look and accessories accurate to the film.
In their final hunt, the number of Xenomorph prey grew to unmanageable numbers, and they overran the Predators, leaving them with no alternative but to self-destruct, wiping out the civilisation, but sparing the rest of Earth from the Aliens spreading and taking it over.
Afterwards, the Isolated clan would continue the ritual; but without the co-operation of the Antarctic civilisation, would need to instead lure hosts down into the pyramid. In the case of the 2004 hunt, the heat generated by the pyramids power-source was detected by Weyland Industries.
While the scene is brief, it reveals some crucial lore about the Yautja species. The ancient predators we see were not just merciless hunters; they were part of a larger ecosystem of intergalactic hunters, playing a key role in maintaining balance in their world. This balance was maintained by their deadly rituals, which also had a connection to the Xenomorphs.
The Ancient Predators From AVP Explained
During the ancient pyramid flashback scene from Alien vs Predator, we see a trio of Youngblood Predators both undergoing the Blooding ritual, and also being worshipped by primitive Humans from the Antarctic civilisation.
They represent a crucial moment in the history of the Yautja species; blending their mythology, technology, and honourable ritual, giving us a glimpse into their past and traditions we don’t normally get to see in movie-form.
Also to note, is how the continents climate was once hot and jungle-ey. We also get a look into their relationship with the native Humans. The Yautja taught them to build pyramids, and presumably, other useful skills, in return for them providing hosts to begin the Xenomorph Hunts every 100 years. The two enjoyed a symbiotic relationship of sorts.
What is noteworthy, is how little their technology has changed over thousands of years; they still have the same type of ships as the Isolated clan members use in 2004, as well as their armour and weapons, they still use Blades, Plasmacasters, and Biomasks.
Telling us that their culture is much more rooted in honour and tradition, rather than rapid advancement.
Something we see in Prey with the Feral Predator, he isn’t overly primitive compared with others who come later, just different.
Interestingly, this contrasts with the Super Predators from Predators, who were upgrading themselves rapidly by taking the best aspects of their prey, and utilising it for themselves to become even deadlier hunters. Showing us how culture differs across the different subspecies of Classic, Super, and Feral Yautja.
The Blooding is where a clan of Predators sent a trio of young hunters who possess the rank of Youngblood; essentially, an adolescent warrior, who, upon the successful slaying of a Xenomorph, will mark themselves with its blood, and complete the right of passage, becoming what is known as “Blooded”, a full member of their clan, and considered an adult by their fellow Yautja. Providing the Eggs needed, is a captive Alien Queen, held inside one of the pyramids.
The three Yautja we see from thousands of years ago, are the Ancient Warrior, Temple Guard, and Youngblood.
Ancient Warrior is most likely the leader, as during the battle, he is positioned front and centre, in the same way Celtic is seen doing. He has the same mask design as the Elder at the end of the film, but less weathered and ornate as that seen belonging to the elder.
His weapons consist of Wristblades, a Combistick, and Plasmacaster.
He is the one who also sets his self-destruct to blow, wiping out the civilisation.
Temple Guard has a different unique mask design, with a slightly rust-coloured armour suit. He’s first seen alongside Ancient Warrior atop one of the pyramids, before fighting alongside him against the hoarde of Xenomorphs.
His weaponry includes Wristblades, the Combistick, and Shoulder Cannon; but he also uses Scimitars, a rarely-seen weapon only otherwise seen on the Chopper Predator. These are a single blade mounted on the underside of each wrist gauntlet, only a lot larger.
And lastly, the third member is YoungBlood; he is first seen atop either the same, or one of the other pyramids, having killed a Xenomorph, and cutting off its head, with it being impaled on his Combistick spear. Confirming he would be a Blooded Yautja.
YoungBlood has the same design of Biomask as Scar, which is similar to that of the Jungle Hunter from the first Predator movie.
We next see him fighting alongside his two brothers, before they are overrun by hundreds of Xenomorphs.
He is seen using the same weapons as Ancient Warrior - Wristblades, Combistick, and Plasmacaster.
Each Predator have their own action figure from NECA toys, with their own distinct look and accessories accurate to the film.
In their final hunt, the number of Xenomorph prey grew to unmanageable numbers, and they overran the Predators, leaving them with no alternative but to self-destruct, wiping out the civilisation, but sparing the rest of Earth from the Aliens spreading and taking it over.
Afterwards, the Isolated clan would continue the ritual; but without the co-operation of the Antarctic civilisation, would need to instead lure hosts down into the pyramid. In the case of the 2004 hunt, the heat generated by the pyramids power-source was detected by Weyland Industries.
While the scene is brief, it reveals some crucial lore about the Yautja species. The ancient predators we see were not just merciless hunters; they were part of a larger ecosystem of intergalactic hunters, playing a key role in maintaining balance in their world. This balance was maintained by their deadly rituals, which also had a connection to the Xenomorphs.
