Hijiyama Shell Mound, Archaeological midden in Minami-ku, Japan
Hijiyama Shell Mound is an archaeological site in Hiroshima containing stacked layers of shells, pottery fragments, and stone tools left by ancient coastal people. The accumulated deposits reveal how this location was used as a settlement and food processing area over time.
This midden accumulated during the late Jomon period when inhabitants exploited the abundant resources of the Ota River Delta and surrounding mountains. The site was gradually buried and transformed as the river delta expanded and reshaped the landscape.
The shells and pottery at this site show how Jomon people prepared seafood and foraged plants using specialized cooking vessels. These daily practices reveal how closely inhabitants depended on the coastal and river resources around them.
The site is located within Hijiyama Park and is easily accessible by tram, with Hiji Yamashita station serving as the nearest stop. A short walk of about ten minutes through the park brings visitors directly to the archaeological area.
The mound contains two distinct layers that reveal how Hijiyama transformed from an island into land connected to the mainland as the Ota River Delta expanded. This geographical shift also changed how people inhabited and used the location.
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