35°35′26.8″N139°43′45.0″E / 35.590778°N 139.729167°E /35.590778; 139.729167
大森貝塚 | |
 Ōmori kaizuka | |
  Ōmori Shell Midden Show map of Tokyo Ōmori Shell Mounds (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Saitama, Saitama,Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Kantō region |
| Coordinates | 35°35′26.8″N139°43′45″E / 35.590778°N 139.72917°E /35.590778; 139.72917 |
| Type | shellmidden, settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | lateJōmon period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes (no public facilities) |
TheŌmori Shell Mounds (大森貝塚,Ōmori kaizuka) was anarchaeological site on the border ofShinagawa, Tokyo andŌta, Tokyo, in theKantō region ofJapan containing a lateJōmon periodshell midden and settlement ruin. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1955, with the area under protection extended in 1986.[1]
During the early to middle Jōmon period (approximately 4000 to 2500 BC), sea levels were five to six meters higher than at present, and the ambient temperature was also 2 deg C higher. During this period, the Kantō region was inhabited by theJōmon people, many of whom lived in coastal settlements. Themiddens associated with such settlements containbone,botanical material,mollusc shells,sherds,lithics, and otherartifacts andecofacts associated with the now-vanished inhabitants, and thesefeatures, provide a useful source into thediets and habits of Jōmon society. Most of these middens are found along thePacific coast of Japan.
An American scientist,Edward Sylvester Morse who was researching shellfish, planned a research project forBrachiopoda in Japan. He arrived inYokohama on June 18, 1877 and while taking the Yokohama Shimbashi Railway (present dayTokaido Main Line) train to Tokyo on June 20, noticed what appeared to be a shell midden from the window of his train shortly pastŌmori Station. Using his position and influence at the newly establishedTokyo Imperial University, he conducted anarchaeological excavation of the shell midden several times from September to November 1877. The artifacts found were mainlyJōmon pottery,stone tools, bone tools, and animal and human bones, which were displayed at the university's museum in 1879. The pottery was from then late to the beginning of the final Jōmon period per modern classification systems. Morse published a report on his findings both in English and Japanese in 1879, with an especially detailed analysis of the shells found, noting evidence on changes in the environment based on the contents of the layers in the mound, and comparing with similar shell middens in other countries. He also emphasized the importance of protection of the cultural properties. However, the most important aspect of Morse's work was his introduction of modern techniques in laying the foundations scientific archaeology and anthropology in Japan.[2][3] It was one of the earliest excavations of the shell mounds in the world, and it was fortuitous that Morse had previous experience in the excavations of the shell mounds inFlorida before his arrival in Japan.[2]
However, Morse kept no records of the details of the excavation itself, and over the years, the exact location of the site became uncertain. In 1929, a location in the Ōi neighborhood of Shinagawa was identified and marked with a stone monument as "The Shell Mounds of Omori". However, in 1930 a rival site located near Ōmori Station was identified and was also marked with a monument. The sites are separated by about 300 meters. As the original size of the shell midden was very large, it is possible that these two locations are part of the same midden. It is also possible that the Ōmori site was the one seen by Morse from his train window, whereas the Shinagawa site was where he actually excavated. In any case, both rival sites were collectively designated as a National Historic Site in 1955.[2]
These shell mounds are now part of Ōmori Shell Mounds Garden, open to the public. In 1955, the sites were registered as Japan'sHistoric Sites. The shells, pottery, and other items that Dr. Morse excavated are mostly stored at the University Museum of theUniversity of Tokyo and were designated as NationalImportant Cultural Properties in 1975.[1]
The Ōmori Shell Mounds are located within five-minutes' walk from the north entrance ofŌmori Railway Station of theJR Keihin–Tōhoku Line.[4]
Media related toShell mounds of Omori at Wikimedia Commons
