Japan’s history begins with the Paleolithic era, which spans from approximately 30,000 years ago to around 10,000 years ago. During this time, the inhabitants relied on hunting and gathering for their livelihood. The Paleolithic era is also known for being the age when mammoths roamed the earth, significantly differentiating the lifestyle and ecosystem from today’s. Let’s explore the Paleolithic era, which lays the foundation for subsequent Japanese history and our current existence.
The Beginning of the Paleolithic Era
The Paleolithic era in the Japanese archipelago commenced around the last glacial period. At this time, the Japanese islands were connected to the mainland, allowing migratory people to walk into the archipelago. It is speculated that these people used stone tools and engaged in hunting large mammals. The stone tools from the Paleolithic era primarily consist of chipped stone tools, made by knapping stones, and were used for hunting and processing plants.
Key Sites and Discoveries
Paleolithic sites have been discovered throughout Japan, but significant sites include the Iwajuku site in Gunma Prefecture, the Nojiri Lake site in Nagano Prefecture, and the Kamikuroiwa site in Tokushima Prefecture. The Iwajuku site is considered the cradle of Paleolithic research in Japan, with numerous chipped stone tools and bone tools unearthed. This article will particularly highlight the Iwajuku and Nojiri Lake sites.
Iwajuku Site
The Iwajuku site, located in Midori City, Gunma Prefecture, is the first Paleolithic site discovered in Japan and is known as the cradle of Paleolithic research in the country. Discovered by Naoharu Suzuki in 1956, subsequent excavations unearthed numerous stone tools and animal bones. These findings serve as crucial evidence that human history on the Japanese archipelago dates back to approximately 30,000 years ago.
A characteristic feature of the Iwajuku site is the abundance of stone tools made using flaked stone tool technology. These tools, which include knives, scrapers (for skinning), and arrowheads, were used for various purposes. The site also revealed that the area was rich in the raw materials needed to make stone tools, indicating that Paleolithic people chose their habitats based on the availability of suitable stone for toolmaking.
Stratigraphic research at the Iwajuku site has revealed multiple layers of strata, indicating that the site was used over an extended period. This stratigraphy shows changes in lifestyle and tool use among the site’s inhabitants over time.
(Image citation: 文化遺産オンライン)
Nojiri Lake Site
The Nojiri Lake site is a Paleolithic site located in Shinano town, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture, and holds a significant place in the study of the Stone Age in Japan. The site is known for the numerous artifacts discovered around the Nojiri Lake area, especially near the lake shore.
A distinctive feature of the Nojiri Lake site is the diverse range of artifacts unearthed, including stone tools and animal bones. The stone tools found here include both flaked and polished stone tools, offering valuable insights into the lives and activities of Paleolithic people. Additionally, the animal bones excavated at the site allow for speculation about the types of hunting carried out by the people at the time and the animals they coexisted with.
The Nojiri Lake site also provides important information through its stratigraphy. Multiple layers have been identified at the site, with artifacts from different periods found in each layer. This stratification allows for the tracking of changes in lifestyle and technological advancements throughout the Paleolithic era.
(Image citation: 文化遺産オンライン)
Lifestyle and Culture
In the Paleolithic period of Japan, people’s lives primarily depended on hunting, gathering, and fishing. They migrated according to the seasonal changes, obtaining food from various natural environments. The main tools used were stone tools made by chipping, which were employed for hunting animals and processing plants. It is likely that large mammals were the main targets for hunting, and gathering activities would have involved collecting fruits, seeds, roots, etc., depending on the season. Fishing was also an important source of food, especially in areas close to rivers and coasts. As for dwellings, the specific styles of the time are unknown, but they likely consisted of simple structures made from natural materials. People of this era are presumed to have lived their lives adopting the best survival strategies for each season, closely intertwined with the natural environment.
Technology and Craftsmanship
The technology of the Paleolithic era was primarily related to stone tool-making techniques, with chipped and polished stone tools being the main implements. These stone tools were used not only for hunting but also for processing plants and wood. Bone and antler tools, possibly used as sewing needles or fishing hooks, have also been found, indicating the use of animal bones and antlers.
(Image citation:諏訪市HP)
People and Mammoths
When thinking of the Paleolithic era, mammoths often come to mind. Mammoths were symbolic creatures of this era, and their hunting might have played a significant role in the lives of Paleolithic people.
Evidence of mammoths in Japan has been found mainly in regions around Hokkaido. In Hokkaido, mammoth bones and tusks have been discovered, suggesting that mammoths once inhabited Japan. It is believed that large mammals, including mammoths, migrated through the land bridge that existed between the Shiretoko Peninsula and Sakhalin.
While direct evidence of mammoth hunting by Paleolithic people is scarce, the presence of stone tools suggests they possessed the skills to hunt large mammals. Hunting large animals like mammoths would have required cooperative efforts and strategic planning by groups, possibly contributing to the development of social organization and communication.
However, as the last Ice Age ended and the climate warmed, the habitats of many large mammals, including mammoths, were lost, leading to their extinction. This significant change in climate and environment also marked a shift in the lifestyle of Paleolithic people, transitioning into the Jomon period.
End and Transition to the Jomon Period
Approximately 10,000 years ago, the end of the last Ice Age and the ensuing climate warming brought significant changes to the ecosystem of the Japanese archipelago. This led to a gradual shift from the Paleolithic lifestyle to the Jomon period. With the onset of the Jomon period, agricultural practices and sedentary life began, along with the use of pottery.
The Paleolithic period is crucial for understanding the earliest human activities on the Japanese archipelago. Research into this era provides valuable insights into human adaptation strategies, technological advancements, and the early forms of social structure. The study of the Paleolithic period remains an important theme not only in archaeology but also in anthropology and environmental history, with many mysteries yet to be unraveled.
