Kitakogane Shell Mound, Archaeological midden in Date, Japan.
Kitakogane Shell Mound occupies a hilltop between 10 and 20 meters high, built up over centuries from shells, fish bones, and stone tools discarded by early inhabitants overlooking Uchiura Bay. The on-site information center displays excavated items including pottery, hunting tools, and marine remains documenting prehistoric daily life.
The settlement emerged around 5000 BCE as a coastal community centered on harvesting marine resources and subsistence hunting visible in the excavated pit dwellings and burial grounds. The site documents how early populations adapted to life along protected waters with reliable food sources.
The site reveals burial customs intertwined with animal remains, where deer skulls were positioned near human graves as part of community rituals. This arrangement shows how hunting and spiritual beliefs shaped daily life in this ancient settlement.
Visitors can join guided tours offered at the site to better understand the excavated layers and structures over time. The location sits on elevated ground, so paths and stairs may be involved when exploring the mound itself.
Near a spring within the site, a dense concentration of grinding stones and milling basins shows where ancient people intentionally disposed of worn-out tools. This specialized work area reveals how communities managed the lifecycles of their equipment near reliable water sources.
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