Okinohara Site
The Okinohara Site (沖ノ原遺跡, Okinohara Iseki) is an archaeological park containing the remnants of a middle Jōmon period settlement located in what is now part of the town of Tsunan, Niigata in the Hokuriku region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1978.[1]
沖ノ原遺跡 | |
 Okinohara Site | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Okinohara Site  Okinohara Site (Japan) | |
| Location | Tsunan, Niigata, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokuriku region |
| Coordinates | 36°59′33″N 138°39′06″E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | Jōmon |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | Yes |
Overview
The site is located on a river terrace of the Shinano River and contains the ruins of a large village from the middle Jōmon period (approximately 3,000 years ago). The first survey of the site was conducted from 1970-1973, revealing the foundations for 49 circular pit dwellings and three large rectangular-sided structures with sides measuring 10 meters, and one stone-paved structure. These structures were arranged around a roughly circular plaza 120 meters in diameter. In addition, over 1686 examples of "flame style" pottery, a typical Jomon period motif, were discovered.
The site is open to the public as an archaeological park with reconstructions of buildings. Many of the artefacts excavated are stored at the Tsunan Municipal History Museum.
References
- "沖ノ原遺跡" [Okinohara Iseki] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
External links
- Tsunan Town home page (in Japanese)