Understanding Lifeways and
Biocultural Diversity in Prehistoric Japan

Comparative Studies of Jomon Data
            To fully understand the implications of these changes, we propose to collect information about other Early and Middle Jomon sites in Aomori Prefecture, examine changes in site distribution patterns with the aid of the GIS (Geographic Information System), and interpret the Sannai Maruyama data in the context of the observed changes in regional settlement patterns.  Data for the regional settlement pattern analysis can be collected primarily through archival research, as Japanese archaeologists have excavated hundreds of Jomon sites in Aomori Prefecture, and their excavation results are available in the form of published site reports. 

            Our understanding of the characteristics of Early and Middle Jomon settlement patterns in Aomori, which is located in northern Japan, would be incomplete without contrasting them with data from other parts of the Japanese archipelago.  Accordingly, comparative studies of Jomon archaeological data from northern, central and western Japan will be a component of our project.  This will be done in collaboration with two archaeological projects that focus on central and western Japan: the Shinano River Project directed by Dr. Simon Kaner of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, UK, and the Okayama and Kyushu Site Database Project directed by Dr. Naoko Matsumoto of Okayama University, Japan.