Sannai-Maruyama Site

Welcome to the Sannai Maruyama site, a prehistoric marvel that stands as a testament to the sophistication of the Jomon period. For a long time, the prevailing academic consensus suggested that the people of this era were purely…

We begin our physical journey at the Jomon Archive, the gateway to the archaeological park. Before we step out into the fields, this museum provides the necessary context to appreciate the fragments of the past we will encounter. …

Stepping out from the museum, we encounter a cluster of reconstructed pit dwellings, or tate-ana jukyo. These were the primary residences for the Jomon people. …

Moving toward the center of the settlement, we find a massive structure known as the Large Pit Building. Stretching over thirty meters in length and ten meters in width, this is one of the largest prehistoric wooden buildings…

Now we come to perhaps the most iconic feature of the Sannai Maruyama site: the Large Pillar-Supported Structure. This reconstruction is based on the discovery of six enormous post holes, each measuring two meters in diameter and…

As we walk toward the edge of the plateau, we encounter the refuse mounds, which are far more than just ancient trash heaps. To an archaeologist, these mounds are a goldmine of information about the daily lives, diet, and…

In the center of the village, we find a particularly poignant area: the burial grounds. The Jomon people had distinct practices for interring their dead, and Sannai Maruyama offers a clear view of these social rituals. …

As we conclude our tour of the Sannai Maruyama site, take a final look across this ancient landscape. What we see today is the result of thousands of years of human endeavor, preserved by a twist of fate and the dedication of…

As you prepare to leave the Sannai Maruyama site, take one last look over the reconstructed village and the sweeping plateau. This location serves as a profound reminder of the longevity of human settlement and the complexity of…