The Old Stone Age in Wakayama and Japan
Outline of the Old Stone Age
The oldest period in the long history of human beings is called the Old Sone Age (or the Paleolithic era). Geologically speaking, it is equivalent to the Pleistocene epoch, when cold glacial stages and warm interglacial stages commenced one after another.
During one of the glacial stages, A part of the Japanese Islands and the Asian Continent are thought to have been connected by land. During this time, people and animals reached the Japanese Archipelago from various parts of the continent.
In those days, humans were nomadic hunters. They used implements made of stone, wood, bones or horns. Stone implements were important for them. The tools assumed a variety of forms with various methods at different times and locations. (Reference: A display in Kagoshima Pref. Reimeikan)
Sea Level
Waht I have learned on this topic is as follows:
- During the Old Stone Age, global climate was much colder than today and a lot of sea water was kept on land as ice or snow.
- It is said that around 30 percent of land was covered with glaciers and average temperature was lower than today by six to seven degrees C. in those days.
- Sea level was much lower than today and large-sized animals including elephants habitated present Setonaikai Sea.
- One theory holds that sea level was lower by 140 meters and another theory suggests that it was lower by 80 meters than at present.
Natural environment in the Paleolithic seem not to have been directly related to Iwase-senzuka. However, I think I need to remember that the first people from the continent came to the proto-Japanese Islands in the period.
Stone for Tools
What I have learned on this topic is as follows.
- Sanukite and obsidian (volcanic glass) were two of notable rocks which were processed into tools. They are easier to work than other stones.
- Shirataki in Hokkaido is famous for its obsidian.
- Argillite quartzite from Yamagata and Aomori was used in Tohoku and the southern part of Hokkaido.
- Obsidian, chart and shale were used in Kanto and Chubu.
- Sanukite was used in Kinki and Shikoku.
- Sanukite and obsidian were used in Kyushu.
Regionality of Stone Tools in the Old Stone Age
My understanding on this subject is as below.
- In Hokkaido, while knife-shaped stone tools were not many, spears with micro attached (saisekijin 細石刃 in Japanese) appeared earlier than other parts of the Japanese Islands.
- In Tohoku, stone tool techniques were distinguished.
- In the Setonaikai Region, long knife-shaped stone tools made of sanukite developed.
- Influence from the Korean Peninsula spread in Kyushu.
- As a whole, however, stone tools in the Japanese Islands shared common traits.
People's Life in the Old Stone Age
The next is a part of outline of people's life in the Old Stone Age which I have learned.
- Some of their dwellings were on a hill by a stream
- Some of their homes were placed in a circular. The central open space is thought to have been important for the residents.
- They set up pitfalls to catch animals.
- Accessories such as amber beads in those days have been found in Hokkaido.
Wakayama Prefecture in the Old Stone Age
I have learned about this theme as follows:
- Around 25,000 years ago, people seems to have begun to live in present Wakayama Prefecture area.
- Larches stretched in the highlands and beeches spread in the lowlands.
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Around 40 archeological sites dating from the Old Stone Age have been found in Wakayama Prefecture. Next places are included in the list.
- The Fujinami-chiku Ruins and the Habuike Ruins in Kibi, Arida-gawa Town (knife-shaped stone tools and others)
- The Oike Ruins in Wakayama City (knife-shaped stone tools and others, until the Jomon Period)