Soya Shell Mound, Archaeological midden in Soya, Japan.
Soya Shell Mound is a prehistoric settlement site containing discarded shells, pottery, and stone tools from ancient times. The deposits span a large area and reveal layered remains from different time periods.
The site was inhabited during the Jomon period between 4000 and 2500 BCE, when people survived by fishing and gathering shellfish. The layered deposits show how their way of life changed over centuries.
The mound reveals how people lived across many generations and traded with communities far away. Objects found here tell the story of a society deeply connected to the ocean and its resources.
Information panels at the site explain its significance and help visitors understand what they are looking at. The main artifacts are displayed in a nearby museum for closer examination.
The shell deposits here represent one of the largest accumulations along Japan's Pacific coast, offering rare insight into ancient food practices. Researchers can trace dietary patterns and living habits across many centuries from these layers alone.
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