Satohama shell mound

Satohama Shell Midden
里浜貝塚
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Location in Japan
Satohama shell mound (Japan)
Location Higashimatsushima, Miyagi, Japan
Region Tōhoku region
Coordinates 38°20′16″N 141°08′51″E / 38.337731°N 141.147483°E / 38.337731; 141.147483
Altitude 20–40 m (66–131 ft)
Type shell midden
History
Periods early - late Jōmon
Site notes
Ownership National Historic Site
Public access Yes

Satohama Shell Midden (里浜貝塚) is a Jōmon period archaeological site consisting of a shell midden and the remains of an adjacent settlement located in what is now the city of Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan.. It is protected by the central government as a National Historic Site.[1]

The rocky ria coast of Miyagi Prefecture was densely settled from the early through late Jōmon period, and the locations of such coastal settlements are often marked by shell middens containing shellfish, fish, animal and whale bones and human-produced artifacts, including earthenware shards, fishing hooks, etc. Some 59 shell middens have been found around Matsushima Bay alone, of which the Satohama site is one of the largest.

The shell midden extends for approximately 800 meters east-west by 200 meters north-south, and is up to six meter deep in places, indicating use for over several thousand years. In addition to vast numbers of shells, the mound included chestnut, acorns, and the bones of deer, wild boar and numerous species of birds.

There were 293 manufactured items of bone, 91 of shell, 168 of stone, and 38 of earthenware found during excavations.[2] These were designated an Important Cultural Property in 2000.[3] Finds from the site are exhibited at the Historical Museum of Jomon Village OkuMatsushima.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "沼津貝塚 ぬまづかいづか". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "里浜貝塚出土品". Miyagi Prefecture. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "The Historical Museum of Jomon Village OkuMatsushima". The Historical Museum of Jomon Village OkuMatsushima. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
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